U.S. Conformity Assessment System: 2nd Party Conformity Assessment
Second-party conformity assessment approaches used in the United States include:
Testing
Second-party testing occurs at the end of the design or production cycle, whereby a person or organization that has a user interest in an object
(e.g. the procurer, purchaser or user) takes the necessary steps to determine that one or more characteristics of an object comply with the appropriate
technical standards and requirements. Testing carried out by a second party may, under certain circumstances, serve as the basis for other forms of third party
conformity assessment, including product certification and inspection.
Second-party testing may be an appropriate conformity assessment approach when:
- The buyer or procurer demands or allows it
- There is a need to have a factual basis to make a determination of compliance
Testing can also be performed by a first-party or a third-party and is the most commonly used conformity assessment approach.
Inspection
Second-party inspection is a series of examinations of a product design, product, process, or installation in order to determine its conformity to specific requirements performed by a person or organization that has a user interest in an object (e.g. the procurer, purchaser or user). For example, manufacturers will often inspect the critical components, supplied by an outside source, that will be used in their own finished product.
Second-party inspection may be an appropriate conformity assessment approach when:
- The buyer or procurer demands or allows it
Second-party inspection bodies may typically inspect against a wide range of functions (e.g. products, services, materials, installations, plant
processes, work processes, etc.) and parameters (e.g. quality, quantity, safety, fitness for use, etc.).
Inspection can also be performed by a first-party or a third-party.
3rd Party Conformity Assessment
