productcertificaat

Productcertificaat is a document issued by an accredited certification body that attests that a specific product has been tested and evaluated and complies with applicable standards or regulatory requirements. The certificate confirms aspects such as safety, performance, and reliability and is commonly used to facilitate market access, support regulatory compliance, and provide assurance to customers and suppliers that the product meets defined criteria.

The certification process typically involves identifying the relevant standards or directives for the product, compiling technical documentation, and conducting testing and evaluation by an accredited laboratory or notified body. In many schemes, a review of the manufacturing process and factory production controls is also performed. When the product meets the requirements, the certification body issues the productcertificaat, sometimes with a certificate number, and defines conditions for ongoing conformity.

Scope and examples: productcertificaat can apply to a wide range of products, including electrical equipment, toys, medical devices, machinery, and construction products. In the European Union, the CE marking is the general mechanism for conformity; in some cases a product certificate issued by a notified body accompanies or substitutes for a self-declaration of conformity.

Maintenance and validity: certificates have finite validity and may require periodic surveillance, re-testing, or recertification to remain valid. Changes to the product, its design, or production process often trigger a new assessment. The use of a productcertificaat is not a guarantee of ongoing compliance if the product is modified or used outside the stipulated conditions.

Related terms include declaration of conformity, certificate of conformity, and certification of a quality management system. A productcertificaat differs from a supplier or company certification in that it focuses on the product itself rather than the organization.