Conformity Assessment in the North American Marketplace

1

• Conformity Assessment in the North American
  Marketplace
• CANENA Annual Council Meeting
• February 6, 2003

2

• The work of CANENA has laid an important
  foundation
• One design, suitable everywhere
• Next logical step -
• Tested once, accepted everywhere
• The need for this is recognized by UL
• UL Recognized Component Program reflects this
  concept

3
The Certification Landscape

• Certification appears to be similar to standards
  setting
• Why not certify based on a single set of test
  results?
• The key is the means used to assure ongoing
  product compliance
• In UL terms, the Follow-Up Program

4
Follow-Up Program

• The means used by the certification body to check
  ongoing compliance of the product to the test
  standard
• Each certification body develops a level of FUS
  programs that are intended to
• Maintain the integrity of its certification mark
• Reflect the realities of the market place
• Is accepted by its client base

5
Elements of a FUS Program

• In plant examination of the product
• Adequate inspection frequency
• Tests in the factory
• Manufacturer testing
• Tests witnessed by the field inspector
• Countercheck testing at the certification body

6
Elements of a FUS Program

• Assessment of the manufacturers quality
  management system (QMS)
• A comprehensive field report system
• A means to monitor potential misuse of the
  certification mark

7

• In ULs case our follow-up programs reflect
• The level we believes necessary to maintain the
  integrity of our mark
• Our constituent expectations
• Our safety heritage
• The realities of our market place

8

• Conformity assessment is a business
• Choices are important for customers

9

• Let the Market Place Decide
• NAFTA lays the foundation for market driven
  certification
• Standards Harmonization is CRITICAL
• UL Mark for the US and cUL and ULC Marks for
  Canada
• Ongoing cooperation with ANCE
• Our clients have a choice