Collaboration with Testing Laboratories and Inspection Bodies

Conducting certification processes entails cooperation with suitable (competent) testing laboratories, inspection bodies, and external experts. As an accredited certification body, DIN CERTCO cooperates only with testing laboratories, inspection bodies and experts recognized by itself.

The proof of competence of testing laboratories and inspection bodies is based on the requirements defined in the international standards

• DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025 „General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories“ respectively
• DIN EN ISO/IEC 17020 „Conformity assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection“

Applications for collaboration of a testing laboratory or inspection body shall be sent to DIN CERTCO in writing. Based on the documents submitted, DIN CERTCO will check whether the current general requirements for collaboration are being met.

If there is a accreditation of the testing laboratory for the testing scope applied for, is limited to checking accreditation documents and the quality manual of the applicant.

All testing laboratories and inspection bodies are subject to regular monitoring within of 5 years. This ensures that the Quality requirements are continually met. The monitoring takes into account a document check, as well as round robin tests, obligatory meetings for experience exchange and witness audits for inspection bodies.