Lecture 14 Certification in France

Lecture plan:

1 Management of the system is carried out :

2 NF mark certification system is a system of third-party certification that include:

In France in 1938, a decree created a national system of certification mark NF ( French Standard ) . Responsibility for the overall organization and management of the system was entrusted to the French Association for Standardization (AFNOR). System certification mark NF means that the products passed certification in accordance with the established rules , fully satisfies the requirements of the relevant French standards . Thus, in a system based on national standards are exceptionally prepared and approved by AFNOR. Mark of conformity NF registered in France in accordance with the Law on trade and service marks .

After the Second World War began the practical operation of the system ( it was originally applied only to domestic gas appliances and hydraulic equipment). NF token system includes more than 75 certification , each applies to specific groups of products . For example, household appliances and machines are 15 certification systems ( electrical appliances , household refrigerators , etc.). The national system of certification mark NF is based on the principle of decentralization, with the exception of the most important issues that are resolved by the Steering Committee and AFNOR system.

Management of the system is carried out :

steering committee of 12 members appointed by the Commissioner for standardization. The Committee is chaired by the Director General of AFNOR, serves as the coordinating body for the general management system ;

special committees set up , usually one in each of the art and consist of representatives of industry , consumers, government agencies, which are also appointed by the Commissioner for standardization. The task of special projects include the development of the certification rules as applied to the fields of technology in which they operate , the rules of use of the mark of conformity NF, determination of test laboratories authorized to conduct certification testing of products, the imposition of sanctions to companies who have committed non-compliance with current French standards , etc.

testing laboratories, which are assigned to each special committee and whose status may be sectoral , cross-sectoral or national testing laboratories .

NF mark certification system is a system of third-party certification that include:

filing of the manufacturer;

business surveys to assess the quality assurance system ;

testing of product samples ;

the issuance of certificates or licenses for labeling the mark of conformity ;

periodic follow-up testing of product samples taken from the areas of production and marketing , as well as overseeing the enterprise.

Special committees cooperate with testing laboratories and 22 supervisors . Assessment of quality assurance systems in the enterprises entrusted to a group of experts ( Commission ) created special committees that organize product testing , within enterprises as well as in independent testing laboratories familiar with the metrological support of production, testing equipment , and other systems ND

The group of experts should determine whether the company has all the necessary conditions for the mass production of products in accordance with the rules and requirements of the standards in all important stages of its production.

The standards for the certification of conformity which must necessarily include the requirements for all characteristics and to establish the necessary methods of testing , which should be easily reproducible and can be performed in a production test equipment.

Through certification of products in the national system , the enterprise shall enter into a contract c AFNOR and consumers . Any disregard of the rules for certification of this product may result in sanctions up to the cancellation of permission to issue a certification of products. In addition , AFNOR, according to the current legislation in the country , it may bring the perpetrators to legal liability for damages from use of defective products .

In the mid- 70s . Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Economics in France were analyzed of the all certification systems. A draft law on the certification , known as Shrivenera law , which was passed by Parliament. The law prescribes that the certificates of conformity with standards issued by the country's only authorized for this purpose by national authorities on the results of the quality control of these products .

The law also establishes a certification that the product must be labeled with reference to the national organization that issued the certificate ( for example, AFNOR- is a sign of NF) which identify the products that are certified . The adoption of this provision, means the beginning of the transition to the establishment of the concept of " quality threshold " since before the establishment of the value of products consistent performance directly between manufacturing companies and consumers .

Since 1981. , 18 national organizations have been recognized by the French Government authorized certification bodies , among which the most significant, of course, is the AFNOR. In accordance with the law of 1978 . of information and protection of consumers and the decree of 1985. quality certificates are defined as signs of the product to confirm that its characteristics are controlled by an independent national authority.

Quality certificates are different from other forms of product information ( self-certification , collective marks , etc.) in the presence of their special character "A". Since 1982 , France has begun distribution company of quality certificates with the symbol "A" under the auspices of the Ministry of Research and Industry . French central testing laboratory (LNE) is recognized as an authorized certification body in areas such as consumer goods , industrial equipment . The activities LNE certification covers 17 categories of products.

In addition , LNE in the Act of 1978 , and in 1981 was approved by the independent certification body package. This certification system is based on the Government has taken 25 technical regulations applicable to the cardboard packaging ( including corrugated ) , plastic , wood . Certification covers 30 product groups and materials used. Certificates certifying the structural characteristics of the packaging and its ability to provide the necessary safety of products during transit. In 1982, the LNE certificates were issued to the packaging 220 companies .

In 1982, in agreement with the AFNOR LNE start of certification of plastic bags for waste disposal. General management certification provides AFNOR, and the technical issues are decided by LNE.

Recognition of national organizations as authorized certification bodies shall be issued on the basis of recommendations of the advisory committee set up under the Ministry of Industry and Science , which includes representatives of consumers, businesses , manufacturers , trade, and government agencies.

An example of a system of certification for a particular product group is the system of certification of electronic equipment, which fully meets the principles of organization of the system of certification of electronic products created within the IEC , allowing France to participate in it. The functions of the certification authority system performs the Union electricians (UTE), which is also the national organization for standardization in the electrical, electronics and communications. In many European countries work on standardization in the electrical, electronics and communication are separated from standardization work in other areas of technology , due to historical reasons.

Date: 2016-01-03; view: 823