Meaning
Accredited third party organisations verify that products meet specific safety and performance requirements before manufacturers place goods on the European market. These notified bodies operate under government authority to assess compliance with harmonized standards. Their remit stops at the formal verification of technical documentation and testing results, meaning the legal liability for product conformity remains with the manufacturer.
Regulatory Verification
Such independent entities perform audits on technical files and quality systems. Notified bodies require access to all production data and testing records during the review of an application. Manufacturers submit their product files for assessment against relevant directives to gain the mandatory markings required for trade.
Assessment Protocol
Inspectors evaluate whether the provided evidence demonstrates total adherence to the essential health and safety requirements of the applicable legislation. Approval follows successful review of the design specifications and internal manufacturing controls. An entity provides a certificate of conformity once the assessment proves that the product configuration satisfies the legal obligations.
Market Authorization
Authorized bodies hold the exclusive power to issue the certificates that permit access to regulated trade areas. Suppliers find that these official documents act as proof of compliance for customs authorities and regional inspectors. The issuance of a certificate signifies that the design fulfills all applicable performance constraints defined by the governing directive.