U.S. Conformity Assessment System: Introduction
Conformity assessment is a
term used to describe steps taken by both manufacturers and other parties to
evaluate whether products, processes, systems, or personnel adhere to the
requirements identified in a specified standard. Conformity assessment
activities such as testing, certification, and accreditation are closely
associated with standards and provide the consumer or end user with a measure
of confidence in the products and services being purchased. For this reason,
conformity assessment has become a critically important aspect of conducting
business in the global marketplace. The results of conformity assessment may be
made visible through product marking as well as marketing and promotional
efforts.
The National Conformity
Assessment Principles for the United States articulates the principles for conformity
assessment that will allow consumers, buyers, sellers, regulators, and other
interested parties to have confidence in the results and processes of providing
conformity assessment, while avoiding the creation of unnecessary barriers to
trade.
The American National
Standards Institute’s role in conformity assessment includes accreditation of
organizations that certify that products and personnel meet recognized
standards. The ANSI National
Accreditation Board (ANAB) is the U.S. accreditation body for
management systems. ANAB accredits certification bodies for ISO 9001 quality
management systems (QMS), ISO 14001 environmental management systems (EMS), ISO 27001 information security management systems,
ISO 22000 food safety management systems, ANSI/AIHA Z10 occupational health and
safety management systems, and numerous industry-specific requirements. ACLASS, now an ANAB company, provides
laboratory accreditation for testing and calibration laboratories to ISO/IEC
17025, reference material producers (RMPs) to ISO Guide 34, and inspection
bodies to ISO/IEC 17020.
ANSI is
involved in several international and regional organizations to promote
multilateral recognition of conformity assessments across borders to preclude
redundant and costly barriers to trade.
Conformity Assessment System used in the U.S.
