Certificate of approval
| Certificate of approval |
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| See also |
Certificate of approval - is a quality certificate awarded to a product that meets the minimum regulatory, technical and safety requirements. In general, such a document is needed before a product can be placed on the market in a particular country. This is due to the fact that each market wants to allow goods that will not have a negative impact on their consumers. As a result, these products undergo a very long validation process. It is carried out by appropriately qualified specialists who are familiar with all relevant quality standards. In view of the above, this process is highly cost-intensive, but nevertheless guarantees access to new markets, which in the long run may bring tangible profits for the company. Alternatively, certificate of approval is also called approval (for machines).
Obtaining certificate of approval
Obtaining this document is characterised by a variety of procedures depending on the country in whose territory the notified product is to be placed on the market. For example, in the US market, for example, a certificate is issued by the competent authority that handles the marketing of the goods or services in question. Therefore, it verifies them against the set minimum standards. Each certificate is granted individually so that the final recipient can identify on its basis the person responsible for the production or manufacture of a given product.
The situation is similar in the European Union. Nevertheless, there is one fundamental difference. Within the framework of allocating given certificates, there is one entity responsible for granting given certificates. However, obtaining a European certificate of approval allows the entity to market a given product throughout the European Union, and not only in one country. This is a significant improvement, resulting from the concept of free market and free movement of goods between EU member states, among others[1].
Importance of certificate of approval in economy
The possession of a given certificate by a company is significant from the point of view of the global economy and consumers. This is due to the fact that they receive an appropriate guarantee of quality and a sense of security. This is particularly important in terms of building consumer confidence in goods that do not come from their local manufacturer. It also enhances the functioning of the global economy and popularizes import goods[2].
Therefore, the blurring of national borders is one of the effects of an appropriate pro-quality policy for the marketing of the relevant goods and products. Therefore, it is recommended that these standards are still obeyed and that entry thresholds are lifted. Thanks to this, countries are able to ensure uniform practice in terms of quality (e. g. China has different standards than Europe, so the quality of these goods and the safety resulting from their use may be different)[3].
Examples of Certificate of approval
- CE Marking: The CE Marking (Conformité Européenne) is a certification mark that indicates a product conforms to the essential safety requirements of the European Union (EU). This mark is required for certain categories of products that are sold in the EU.
- UL Mark: The UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Mark is a certification mark that indicates a product has been tested and meets the safety requirements of UL. This mark is required for certain categories of products that are sold in the United States.
- TUV Mark: The TUV Mark (Technischer Überwachungsverein) is a certification mark that indicates a product conforms to the safety requirements of the German certification body TÜV Rheinland. This mark is required for certain categories of products that are sold in Germany.
- ISO Certification: ISO (International Organization for Standardization) is an international organization that develops and publishes standards related to quality management, environmental management and other fields. An ISO Certification indicates that a product has been tested and meets the standards set by ISO.
Advantages of Certificate of approval
A Certificate of Approval (COA) is a valuable document that confirms that a product meets the necessary safety, quality, and regulatory requirements to be placed on the market. This document allows businesses to access new markets, and in the long run, brings tangible profits. The advantages of having a Certificate of Approval include:
- Increased customer confidence, as the certificate is a guarantee of the quality of a product.
- Simplified customs clearance and certification processes, as the COA provides proof of conformity with the necessary regulations.
- Increased product visibility, as potential customers are more likely to purchase a product with a COA.
- Improved brand recognition, as customers are more likely to trust a brand with a valid COA.
- Cost savings, as the cost of obtaining a COA is far less than the cost of dealing with product recalls or customer complaints.
Limitations of Certificate of approval
A Certificate of Approval (CoA) may have certain limitations, such as:
- It may not be applicable to all products, as it is usually granted to products that meet certain minimum requirements.
- It cannot be used as an alternative to product testing, as it only certifies that the product meets the specified requirements.
- It may not cover all the safety, regulatory or technical requirements of the target market, and additional tests may be required.
- The CoA may not be valid for an extended period of time, as the product may need to be retested or the certificate may need to be renewed.
- The certificate may be limited to a certain region or country, meaning that the product may not be eligible for sale in other markets.
To further explore the concept of Certificate of Approval, there are other approaches related to it:
- Product Certification – This refers to the process of verifying that a product conforms to specific requirements and specifications. It is a guarantee that the product is safe and reliable for its intended purpose.
- Quality Assurance – This is a set of processes and procedures that are designed to ensure that products meet the required standards of quality. This includes verifying product design, testing, and inspecting products throughout the production process.
- Quality Control – This is a process where a product is inspected and tested to ensure it meets the required quality standards.
- Production Certification – This process involves verifying that the production process is in compliance with the relevant standards. This includes verifying production process controls, manufacturing processes, and production equipment.
In summary, Certificate of Approval is a document that is issued to indicate that a product meets minimum regulatory, technical and safety requirements. Product Certification, Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and Production Certification are other approaches related to Certificate of Approval.
References
- Groshen E. L., Moyer B. C, Aizcorbe A. M, Bradley R., Friedman D. M.,(2017), How Government Statistics Adjust for Potential Biases from Quality Change and New Goods in an Age of Digital Technologies: A View from the Trenches, "Journal of Economic Perspectives"
- Safiullin L. N., Bagautdinova N. G., Zakirovich N., Ismagilova G. N., (2012), The Development of Welfare Theory in Conditions of Changes in the Quality of Goods and Services, "World Applied Sciences Journal" No. 18 (Special Issue of Economics)
- Verhoogen E., Kugler M., (2012), Prices, Plant Size, and ProductQuality Review of Economic Studies
Footnotes
Author: Martyna Barłóg
