Why is Conformity Assessment needed?
All economies require access to a credible conformity assessment service as part of their Quality Infrastructure (QI). CA is an important component in the development of a country’s Quality Infrastructure, which is vital for trade. CA can play the following roles:
- Demonstrates that products, processes, services, commodities and personnel meet required specifications.
- Establishes and monitors appropriate requirements for protection of health, safety and the environment
- Assures the quality of public infrastructure services
- Protects consumers
- Ensures the compatibility and interoperability of components in products and systems
- Improves international trading opportunities by reducing technical barriers to trade and demonstrating compliance with technical requirements imposed by markets

Conformity Assessment is the demonstration that specified requirements relating to a product, process, system, person, or body are fulfilled.
By demonstrating compliance with specifications of international standards, technical regulations and commercial specifications, Conformity Assessment reduces the barriers to international trade and increases the global acceptance of certificates, so that a product tested once is accepted everywhere, thereby reducing unnecessary costs in trading.