Primer on Engineering Standards

Chapter 8Conformity Assessment

8.1 Introduction

While standards are essential to making widespread consistency of products and processes possible, the confidence in actual compliance with the standards is made possible by conformity assessment. The importance of conformity assessment is reflected in the fact that it is almost always included in any policy statements regarding standards.

There are many definitions of conformity assessment depending on the field of application. One definition, as it pertains to engineering applications, is given by ISO/IEC Guide 2:

Any activity to determine, directly or indirectly, that a process, product, or service meets relevant technical standards and fulfills relevant requirements.

A second definition, similar but somewhat more explicit, is provided by OMB Circular A-119, the direction from the Office of Management and Budget, Office of the President of United States, as implementation of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995:

What is Conformity Assessment?

“Conformity assessment” is a demonstration, whether directly or indirectly, that specified requirements relating to a product, process, system, person, or body are fulfilled. Conformity assessment includes sampling and testing, inspection, supplier's declaration of conformity, certification, and management system assessment and registration. Conformity assessment also includes accreditation of the competence of those activities.

Conformity assessment programs ...