Understanding the Certification Process The product certification process
The Ex Certification Process is regulated by Governments, Accrediting Bodied and IECEx and requires significant input from both the customer and the certification body. Unlike other forms of testing such as EMC, Ex Certification requires products to comply with constructional requirements and to pass testing (where applicable). If you are unsure as to what the terminology means, or what you may require, please contact us and one of our team will talk you through the process. The application form is a mandatory requirement for all ATEX Notified Bodied, but it is also vital that the project scope is defined and understood before we start, so typically for the Ex certification process you will need to understand or identify if you need:
- Standards/Protection Concepts that the product has been designed to comply with
- Ambient Temperature Ranges of use and equipment environmental conditions
- EPL or ATEX Category (or Zone the equipment is required to be used in)
- Gas/Dust groups and Temperature Class required
- Other certifications required (i.e. IECEx, Division 1, INMETRO etc.)
- Any CE Marking testing that should be conducted in parallel (EMC, LVD etc.)
Unless you are starting with a design review, the application form will ask you what Standards you are claiming compliance with. Ensure that you understand the requirements and testing procedures in these standards that your product may be assessed to (this should give you a good idea of whether the product is designed to meet these requirements).
If you have not designed to the Standard, the project should start with an initial certification review, as it may not be possible to successfully complete the certification project for non-compliant projects. Our quote for testing and assessment does not infer certification will be granted, the product must fully comply with the constructional and assessment requirements of the Standards applied for, and meet and pass all of the test requirements.
The timescale we quote starts when we have all of the necessary samples and drawings and assumes that the product is compliant (and will pass the required testing). Delays in providing information or test failures may delay the project by more than the elapsed time of the delay due to internal re-scheduling.
The fastest way to gain certification is always to get it ‘right first time’ and if in doubts start with a design review to fast track the reviewing process and identify any potential problems. The final submitted document package must fully control all aspects required by the Standard, you will be forwarded a guidance documents that will guide you on this process at the beginning of the project.
If you are new to the process we highly recommend a Design Review as it can often save you time and money.
Certification Information required for the Ex Certification Process
A typical list of things we need for an approvals project (once the quote is accepted) includes:
- General arrangement and certification drawings
- Material datasheets
- representative sample(s) of the product (our testing is often ‘destructive’ so please assume that the samples will be destroyed during testing)
- Test reports (if applicable)
- Instructions
- EHSRs
- Compliance statement and/or evidence of compliance (for example, safety component calculations for intrinsic safety)
- Manufacturer’s ISO certificate If you are new to certification we strongly recommend a pre-compliance review so you fully understand the requirements of certification before you begin.
Ensure you have your quality management systems in place (again, ensuring no delays when it comes to manufacturing the product under certification requirements) and that you dedicate the internal resources and time to resolving any issues raised by the assessment. Our timescale estimates are based on prompt responses from clients; if we have to wait several weeks for a response we may have a delay before we can recommence the project.
When working with other schemes, such as MET or INMETRO, the issuing bodies may have additional fee’s (such as for use of their logo) or additional audit requirements for their Ex Certification Process (North America for example requires four ‘visits’ per year by the listing body). ExVeritas will advise on these costs as far as possible, but we only include the test and certification program in our quotes, as the follow up manufacturing audits are normally quoted and provided separately so that ‘local’ auditors can be used where possible.
Certification Schedule Drawings
When product certification relies on QAN/QARs (Quality Systems) for manufacture, it is the ‘Drawings’ listed on the certificate that are the basis of certification. For that reason there are some very specific information that must appear on the certification schedule drawings (which are normally different to the manufacturing drawings). Further information on drawings can be found in the links below.
Delays on certification issue are often traced to incorrect drawings being submitted.
Test Samples
Often test samples will have to be modified to make the representative test samples that we require for our program.
Test samples may be destroyed in testing, please see the links below for more details.
The Management System Certification Process
Certification Process and Certification Status Management
ExVeritas operates documented procedures for the granting, maintaining, renewing, suspending, restoring, withdrawing, expanding, and reducing the scope of certification in accordance with applicable accreditation requirements and internationally recognised certification standards, including the principles of ISO/IEC 17021 and ISO/IEC 17065 relating to competence, consistency, impartiality, and decision-making.
Granting of Certification
Certification is granted following completion of the applicable assessment and certification review process. This process typically includes:
- Application and contract review
- Assessment planning and allocation of competent personnel
- Stage 1 and Stage 2 audits or product/process assessments, as applicable
- Review of audit findings, nonconformities, and corrective actions
- Independent technical review of the assessment results
- Certification decision by authorised personnel independent from the audit activities performed
Certification is only granted where sufficient objective evidence demonstrates that the organisation, product, process, or service conforms to the applicable certification requirements and standards.
Certification decisions are undertaken impartially and independently to ensure objectivity and consistency. Personnel making certification decisions are not permitted to have participated in the audit or evaluation activities upon which the certification decision is based.
Following successful certification, ExVeritas issues certification documentation defining the approved certification scope, applicable standards, locations where relevant, and certification validity conditions.
Maintaining and Renewing Certification
Certified clients are subject to periodic surveillance and recertification activities to confirm the continued effectiveness and conformity of the certified management system, product, process, or service.
Certification renewal is dependent upon successful completion of the applicable reassessment activities and continued compliance with certification requirements.
Expansion or Reduction of Certification Scope
Certified organisations may request changes to their certification scope, including the addition or removal of products, services, processes, activities, or locations.
Requests for scope extension are subject to appropriate review and verification activities, which may include additional audits, technical evaluations, or document reviews to confirm conformity within the expanded scope.
ExVeritas may reduce the scope of certification where:
- parts of the certified scope no longer comply with certification requirements,
- activities cease to operate,
- the client requests removal of activities or locations,
- or limitations are identified during surveillance or reassessment activities.
Suspension, Restoration, or Withdrawal of Certification
ExVeritas may suspend, reduce the scope of, or withdraw certification where a certified organisation fails to maintain compliance with applicable certification requirements or certification agreements.
Circumstances that may result in suspension, reduction, or withdrawal include, but are not limited to:
- Failure to address identified nonconformities within agreed timescales
- Failure to maintain the effectiveness of the certified management system
- Failure to permit required surveillance, recertification, or verification activities
- Misuse of certification documents, certification marks, logos, or accreditation symbols
- Significant breaches of applicable legal, regulatory, or contractual obligations
- Failure to comply with ExVeritas certification terms and conditions
- Voluntary request by the certified organisation
- Failure to meet financial obligations associated with certification services
Where certification is suspended, the organisation shall not claim or promote certification as active for the affected scope during the suspension period.
ExVeritas will formally communicate:
- the reasons for suspension, reduction, or withdrawal,
- any required corrective actions,
- applicable timescales,
- and the conditions required for restoration of certification.
Certification may be restored following satisfactory verification that identified issues have been effectively addressed and compliance with certification requirements has been re-established. Verification activities may include additional audits, technical review, or document assessment.
Where issues are not resolved within the defined suspension period, or where serious or persistent nonconformities exist, certification may be withdrawn or permanently reduced in scope.
Client Communication and Requests
Certified clients wishing to:
- request suspension or restoration of certification,
- amend or expand certification scope,
- notify ExVeritas of significant organisational changes,
- surrender certification,
- or obtain further information regarding certification status,
may contact ExVeritas directly at:
Info@ExVeritas.com
All requests and certification status changes are reviewed and processed in accordance with ExVeritas documented certification procedures and applicable accreditation requirements.
Impartiality and Certification Decisions
All certification decisions relating to granting, maintaining, renewing, expanding, reducing, suspending, restoring, or withdrawing certification are subject to independent review and decision-making processes to ensure impartiality, consistency, and integrity of certification activities.
ExVeritas maintains processes to safeguard impartiality and prevent conflicts of interest throughout all certification activities.