1              Overview

This approval involves:

Initial assessment (the following is not necessary chronologically)

- Client presents a product technical file for the product

- Laboratory report (acceptable test report) to be presented and reviewed by Global-Mark

- Review of the manufacturer’s production control system, which needs to comply, as a minimum to Global-Mark’s production control requirements (G-11) and presented in a product support plan

- Subject to the above review, Global-Mark will issue a Certificate of Approval (valid for 5 years)

- The certificate of approval is valid for the product or a range of product of similar characteristic, material and production processes, as tested.

- Under this program, the Global-Mark certification mark can be affixed to the product, its packaging or supporting literature

- If any of the product critical components is changed, a new test report is required, and Global-Mark needs to be notified and approval granted (using the design lock change form).

- Business review at the manufacturer of the production system to ensure that production process is stable and capable

- Selection of a sample (by Global-Mark or authorised representative)

- Sample to be tested by an approved laboratory

On-going assessment

• On-going review (minimum yearly) of production system
• Review and approval of changes during the life cycle of the product (using the design lock change form)
• On-going sampling and testing of the product (as the product changes, as defined in the CS, standard or when approved test reports expire)

2              In simple terms

This program is based on a Type 5 approval (as defined by ISO).

Product conformance issues are becoming increasingly mandated by regulators or expected by consumers. Due diligence is also expected for in most product related litigation.  Point of sale legislations in some states or countries require that products be tested, and certified before they can be offered to the market, or connected to a network or infrastructure.

Type 5 certification is one of the most flexible type of product conformance, delivered by an independent organisation, and based on a (or a number of) test report issues by an Approved Laboratory. The on-going factory surveillance activities allow an on-going monitoring of design change or competence changes, and provide the manufacturer or supplier the ability to continue to evolve the design of the product.

Finally, the certification can be sought by the manufacturer, an importer or a distributor. Global-Mark can issue a transfer certificate if the product has been tested and certified by another certification company overseas, under an internationally approved scheme (IEC scheme for example).

3              Specific program conditions

• Tests reports need to be no older than 5 years (and our certificate of approval will expire on the fifth anniversary of the oldest test report for the product).
• Global-Mark requires to be present when selecting a sample(s), and maintaining a duplicate of the sample. 

Other conditions are presented in G-11.

Independent testing of products

Global-Mark reserves its right to select additional samples and completed indenpendent tests. The results of the test will be presented to the manufacturer. Costs associated with the additional sampling and testing must be paid by the Global-Mark client.

Changes to Type 1 vs Type 5 certification as stipulated in relevant certification standard

Global-Mark will not accept that a product which standard requires or recommends Type 5 approval (or similar) be certified under Type 1 (type testing).  This applies in cases where the standard recommends rather than prescribes the type of certification.

4              What documents/records are needed to understand this program

In order to understand our program, you should also access and be aware of the following documents:

·         G-00: Welcome Pack

·         G-11: Product conformance program – Production control requirements

·         MSP-00: Introduction to our management systems

·         MSP-01: Nomenclature and definitions

·         MSP-24 Appeals