​Following powerful growth in the second half of last century, today’s certifications market is in flux, with both technicians and experts questioning the real value of certifications.
As a consequence the certification body is increasingly the heart of this process and its choice, its engagement is the new challenge for companies asking for conformity assessment services.
CERTIFICATION
A certifier is first and foremost a technical expert for the product, system or service up for certification. The certifier’s independence as a third party guarantees the quality of its input.
Thanks to documental assessment, technical analyses, audits, but mainly by inspections and testing conducted in specialized laboratories, the certifier verifies that a given product, system or service is conform with the relevant parameters.
Furthermore a high level certifier helps its client improve the quality of its products or services.
THE REFLUX
The certification market is currently experiencing a reflux phase. This is a direct response to the proliferation of certificates which, when all is said and done, do not correspond to the real performance of the products they certify.
As things stand today, some purchasers prefer to go back to exerting direct control over what they acquire, even entrusting the necessary testing and controls, to independent certifiers that can guarantee the appropriate specialized skillsets.
This approach is increasingly adopted by companies with high technological content, for which quality standards, performance levels and market requirements are fast-paced and quickly evolving. It is an efficient path to follow, one that reflects both the critical moment this market is experiencing and the inherent willingness to spend for quality value, not simply for a paper certificate.
So branded high level certification body even when entrusted directly by the utility is the real key of success in matching user needs and suppliers products in a global frame of trust.