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Testing
Determination of one or more characteristics of an object according to a defined procedure or method, generating objective technical information.
Conformity Assessment
Building confidence in products, processes, services and organizations through objective, competent and reliable conformity assessment.
Understanding Conformity Assessment
Evidence-based confidence in conformity
Conformity assessment is the process used to demonstrate whether specified requirements relating to a product, process, service, system, person or organization have been fulfilled.
Depending on the applicable requirements, conformity assessment may involve activities such as testing, inspection, certification, validation, verification or other forms of evaluation.
These activities provide information that can be used by organizations, purchasers, regulators and other interested parties when making decisions about conformity, quality, safety or performance.
PACI's accreditation perspective focuses on confidence in the competence and impartiality of organizations performing defined conformity assessment activities.
What does conformity mean?
Conformity means fulfillment of specified requirements. Those requirements may come from standards, regulations, technical specifications, contractual requirements, schemes or other defined criteria.
Assessment Activities
Main forms of conformity assessment
Different conformity assessment activities serve different purposes. The appropriate activity depends on the subject being assessed and the requirements against which conformity is determined.
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Inspection
Examination of a product, process, service, installation or other subject and determination of its conformity with specified requirements.
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Certification
Third-party attestation related to specified requirements for a product, process, service, system, person or other defined subject.
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Verification
Evaluation of a claim or information against specified requirements or agreed criteria, where applicable to the relevant scheme.
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Validation
Confirmation, through objective evidence, that specified requirements are adequate for a particular intended use or application.
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Product Assessment
Evaluation of defined product characteristics, requirements or performance criteria within an applicable conformity assessment scheme.
The Assessment Chain
From requirements to confidence
Conformity assessment connects defined requirements with objective evidence and appropriate conformity statements or decisions.
The reliability of the resulting information depends on competent personnel, appropriate methods, suitable resources, controlled processes and impartial decision-making where applicable.
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Requirements
Applicable standards, regulations, specifications, schemes or other defined criteria establish what conformity means.
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Assessment Activity
Testing, inspection, certification, verification, validation or another appropriate assessment activity is performed.
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Objective Evidence
Records, measurements, observations, examination results and other evidence support the assessment outcome.
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Evaluation & Decision
Evidence is evaluated against the applicable requirements and the appropriate conclusion or decision is reached.
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Confidence & Use
The resulting information can support purchasing, regulatory, commercial and other informed decisions.
PACI's Perspective
Confidence in the bodies performing assessment
Accreditation and conformity assessment are closely connected. While conformity assessment provides evidence about conformity, accreditation provides an independent mechanism for evaluating the competence of organizations performing specified conformity assessment activities.
- Evaluation of competence against defined requirements.
- Consideration of impartiality and conflicts of interest.
- Review of technical and operational processes.
- Assessment of personnel competence and available resources.
- Evidence-based assessment findings and conclusions.
- Continued oversight according to applicable procedures.
Understanding the Difference
Accreditation and conformity assessment
These concepts are closely related but serve different functions within the quality and conformity infrastructure.
Accreditation
Accreditation is concerned with confidence in the competence of an organization to perform specified conformity assessment activities.
- Focuses on competence
- Applies to a defined scope
- Includes assessment against requirements
- Supports confidence in assessment results
Conformity Assessment
Conformity assessment determines or demonstrates whether specified requirements relating to a subject have been fulfilled.
- Focuses on conformity with requirements
- May involve testing or inspection
- May involve certification or verification
- Produces evidence for informed decisions
Core Principles
What supports credible assessment
Reliable conformity assessment depends on a combination of technical capability, controlled processes and professional integrity.
Impartiality
Decisions and assessment activities should remain objective and free from inappropriate influence.
Competence
Personnel should possess appropriate knowledge, skills, experience and technical capability.
Evidence
Conclusions should be supported by appropriate objective evidence and controlled records.
Improvement
Effective systems should identify risks, address findings and continually improve.
Conformity assessment in practice: inspection, technical evaluation and objective evidence used to support informed quality and compliance decisions.
Conformity Assessment in Practice
Turning requirements into reliable evidence
Conformity assessment connects a defined requirement with a disciplined method of evaluation and documented evidence. The subject may be a product, service, process, management system, organization, person or another defined object of assessment.
In practical settings, an assessment can include document review, sampling, examination, measurement, testing, interviews, observation, technical review and evaluation of records. The exact combination depends on the applicable criteria and the conformity assessment scheme.
A credible assessment process should make it clear what was evaluated, against which requirements, using what evidence and under what conditions. This improves the usefulness of conformity information for organizations, purchasers, regulators and other interested parties.
- Clearly defined assessment criteria and scope
- Appropriate methods, competent personnel and suitable resources
- Objective evidence, controlled records and traceable conclusions
- Professional independence and impartial decision-making where applicable
Applications
Where conformity assessment creates value
Conformity assessment supports decisions across manufacturing, laboratories, supply chains, regulated markets and service environments.
Testing & Laboratories
Testing generates technical evidence about defined characteristics. Reliable laboratory work depends on appropriate methods, competent personnel, suitable equipment, controlled conditions and dependable reporting.
Inspection & Measurement
Inspection and measurement help determine whether a subject conforms with specified requirements, specifications, technical criteria or defined contractual conditions.
Quality & Product Decisions
Conformity information can support supplier evaluation, product release, market access, risk management, procurement and other business or regulatory decisions where evidence of conformity is relevant.
Quality Infrastructure
What makes conformity information useful?
Strong conformity assessment depends on more than a document or final statement. It depends on the credibility of the process that produced the evidence.
Defined Requirements
The criteria must be identifiable, applicable and sufficiently clear for consistent evaluation.
Technical Competence
People, methods, equipment and resources should be appropriate to the activity being performed.
Objective Evidence
Findings and conclusions should be supported by appropriate records, observations, measurements or test results.
Impartiality
Where required, assessment and decision processes should be protected from conflicts and undue influence.
Advanced Overview
A disciplined lifecycle from criteria to conclusion
Effective conformity assessment is a lifecycle rather than a single inspection event. The process begins by identifying the subject and applicable requirements, continues through the selection of appropriate assessment methods, and concludes with documented evaluation and communication of results.
Depending on the scheme, the lifecycle may also include review of corrective actions, follow-up activities, surveillance, reassessment or maintenance of competence. These elements help keep conformity information relevant when conditions, products, processes or requirements change.
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Define the Subject
Identify the product, process, service, system, organization, person or claim that is to be assessed.
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Identify Applicable Criteria
Establish the standards, regulations, specifications, contractual conditions or scheme requirements relevant to the assessment.
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Select Appropriate Methods
Use suitable testing, inspection, examination, audit, certification, validation or verification methods according to the defined criteria.
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Evaluate Evidence
Review objective evidence and determine whether the specified requirements have been fulfilled.
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Communicate the Result
Document and communicate the appropriate conclusion, decision, report or statement for its intended use.
Knowledge Centre
Common questions about conformity assessment
Clear terminology helps organizations understand what is being assessed, what evidence is required and how results may be used.
What is conformity assessment?
Conformity assessment is the process used to determine, demonstrate or provide information about whether specified requirements have been fulfilled for a defined subject.
Is conformity assessment the same as certification?
No. Certification is one type of conformity assessment activity. Conformity assessment is the broader concept covering activities such as testing, inspection, certification, validation and verification.
Why is objective evidence important?
Objective evidence allows conclusions to be linked to records, observations, measurements, test results and other verifiable information rather than unsupported statements.
What is the role of accreditation?
Accreditation is concerned with confidence in the competence of conformity assessment bodies performing defined activities within a specified scope.
Who relies on conformity assessment results?
Organizations, purchasers, regulators, suppliers, manufacturers and other interested parties may rely on appropriate conformity information when making quality, safety, procurement or market decisions.
Does every assessment use the same method?
No. The method depends on the subject, requirements, risk, scheme and intended use. A laboratory test, an inspection and a certification activity have different purposes and methods.
Need more information about conformity assessment?
Explore PACI accreditation schemes or contact the institute for information about applicable conformity assessment activities.