Sertifiseringsorganene

Sertifiseringsorganene, or certification bodies, are independent organizations that assess and verify whether products, services, processes or personnel meet specified requirements. In Norway they operate under the legal framework of the Norwegian Consumer Act and sector-specific regulations. Certification bodies are accredited through independent national or international agencies, most commonly the Norwegian Accreditation Board (KVAL) for national accreditation and ISO/IEC 17011 for international recognition. Accreditation ensures that the bodies possess competence, operate with impartiality and follow robust quality management systems.

The certification process generally involves a written application, inspection of documentation and procedures, audits or tests, and a final decision on conformance. Certification can cover standards such as ISO 9001 for quality management, ISO 27001 for information security, ISO 14001 for environmental management, and specific industry standards like Norsk Standard (NS) or SINTEF quality standards. Personnel qualifications may be certified under standards such as ISO/IEC 17024 (personnel). Results in the form of a certificate are valid for a defined period and subject to surveillance audits.

Major Norwegian certification bodies include Bilag 1 – the line-to-size diagnostic audit companies, the Norwegian Standard Ltd. (Norsk Standard), SINTEF, Kvalin, and several specialized bodies in healthcare, oil and gas, education, and education services. Many of these are part of the Norwegian Association of Private Certified Bodies (Norsk Sertifiseringsforening). Internationally, bodies such as SGS, BSI, and DNV GL also operate in Norway and are accredited by the national authority.

The role of sertifiseringsorganene is crucial for safeguarding quality, safety and compliance. They provide assurance to customers, regulators and the public that goods and services meet recognized standards. In an increasingly global market, the transparency and credibility of certification bodies help facilitate trade, protect consumers and promote continuous improvement across sectors.