Conformity assessment refers to the process of determining whether a product, service, system, or process meets specific standards or regulatory requirements. This process plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of goods and services, while also protecting consumers and supporting fair trade and environmental safeguards.

From a standardization perspective, there are three primary ways to verify that a product or process conforms to a standard: first-party, second-party, and third-party assessment.

First-Party and Second-Party Assessments

First-party assessment, also known as self-assessment, is carried out by the manufacturer or service provider themselves. In this case, the organization evaluates its own compliance with the applicable requirements. While this method is cost-effective and efficient, it can be subject to bias and may not provide the same level of assurance as external evaluations. A classic example of this approach can be found in the early days of organic farming, when producer groups internally verified that their members followed shared standards.

In second-party assessment, one organization—typically a buyer—evaluates the conformity of its suppliers. This is common in industries such as food processing and retail, where companies monitor the practices of their supply chains to ensure consistency and compliance with their own standards. Although more objective than self-assessment, second-party verification still remains within the business relationship and may not be fully impartial.

Third-Party Assessment (Certification)

Third-party assessment offers the highest level of impartiality and credibility. In this approach, an independent organization—commonly known as a certification body—evaluates a product, service, or management system to confirm that it meets defined standards. This certifier must have no involvement in the commercial relationship between the supplier and the buyer, ensuring objectivity.

According to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), certification is defined as:

"A procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a product, process or service conforms to specific standards."
(ISO Guide 2:1996)

Certification thus acts as a trusted form of communication along the supply chain, offering buyers confidence that a supplier has been independently verified.

It is generally considered best practice for the organization that owns or develops a standard to refrain from performing certification itself. Instead, it should authorize independent, competent certification bodies to carry out this role, provided they demonstrate the required capabilities.

Accreditation: Certifying the Certifiers

To ensure that certification bodies are competent and reliable, they themselves undergo an evaluation process called accreditation. Accreditation is carried out by recognized national or international authorities and serves to confirm that certifiers operate impartially and in line with internationally accepted guidelines. These guidelines are often based on standards such as ISO/IEC 17021 for management system certification or ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing.

Accreditation ensures that certification bodies meet strict operational and technical criteria, helping to build trust in the overall conformity assessment system. National accreditation bodies—such as UKAS in the United Kingdom or DAkkS in Germany—are typically responsible for this function, often working under the umbrella of regional or international cooperation structures.

Mutual Recognition of Accreditation

One of the key features that enables global trade and cooperation is the mutual recognition of accreditation. This means that if one country's accreditation body deems a certification body competent, other countries accept that judgment as valid—eliminating the need for redundant evaluations. Mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs) and multilateral agreements (MLAs) allow for the acceptance of conformity assessment results across borders.

Organizations such as the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) and the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) play an essential role in maintaining and promoting these agreements. ILAC focuses primarily on laboratory and inspection body accreditation, while IAF addresses the accreditation of certification bodies. Both organizations operate extensive networks of mutual recognition agreements that provide the basis for global trust in accredited certificates and test results.

Additionally, bilateral and regional agreements enhance the scope of mutual recognition. For example, the European Union has established MRAs with countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia. These agreements allow for the recognition of certification and accreditation outcomes in regulated sectors such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and technical equipment.

Conclusion

Conformity assessment systems form the backbone of trust in global trade, public safety, and quality assurance. Whether conducted by a company itself, a buyer, or an independent certifier, each level of assessment plays a role in demonstrating compliance with recognized standards. Through robust certification, impartial accreditation, and global mutual recognition, conformity assessment ensures that quality claims are not just promises—but are proven, documented, and internationally accepted.