What is certification and what can Kiwa certify for me?

Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object (a product), process, person or organisation. In most cases, this confirmation is provided by some form of external review, assessment, or audit. So, an accredited or authorised person or agency assesses and verifies (and attests in writing by issuing a certificate) the attributes, characteristics, quality, qualification, or status of something or someone. The assessment and verification are in accordance with established requirements or standards.

Kiwa is a global authority in a wide variety of markets, from construction and energy to food safety and healthcare. Our experts know the demands of European and global regulations, quality norms and safety criteria. This knowledge enables them to open doors for you that would have otherwise remained closed. We may make the difference in your efforts to access markets.

Product certifications

A product certification allows you to demonstrate that you perform internal quality monitoring and manage every detail of the production of a product, from checking the supplied raw materials to the production process and storing the final product. We monitor your internal quality control system when certifying your product. That way, your product will always meet the requirements. By obtaining a product certification, you will increase your market chances, as you will be able to offer the buyers an objective proof that your products and the production process meet the current quality and safety requirements.
We can also provide an aspect certificate if you want to certify only a specific aspect or a specific characteristic of your product.

Personnel certifications

People are the most important factor in achieving your business objectives. Certification of persons or personal skills complements the quality assurance of organisations and products. Contrary to educational programmes, which mostly focus on gaining certain knowledge, we focus on establishing someone's skills and then monitoring those skills. After the validity period of a certificate has expired, the person concerned must again demonstrate that they still possess the required skills.

System certifications

A system certification focuses on the management system you use in your company or institution. It clarifies responsibilities, authorisations and procedures within your organisation.
A quality management system according to an international ISO standard increases people's awareness of what they do and how, when and why they do it. Other aspects of business operation are also more manageable when a well-functioning management system is in place. The advantages are evident: more efficient work processes, happier employees, better risk control, improved customer satisfaction and greater profits.

CE marking

CE marking is not a certification, but it is important for bringing your products to the European market. CE stands for Conformité Européenne (European Conformity). As a manufacturer, it is your responsibility to perform a conformity assessment, prepare a technical file, draw up the conformity declaration and apply the CE marking for your product. Applying for CE marking means you declare that your product has been tested and meets all of the European directives on safety, health and the environment.

The directives may require that you must have all of your products tested by a competent inspection body known as a Notified Body (NoBo). The EU has designated Kiwa as a NoBo and we are entitled to issue CE marking. Product groups that require CE marking include machines, gas devices, pressure equipment, personal protective equipment, medical devices, building products, electrical equipment, electronic equipment, recreational craft and toys.

 

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