Organized and systematic Verification of Conformity activities are developing in more and more countries along the global trend towards better consumers’ health, safety and security.

The Cotecna group performs Verification of Conformity activities for governments and private companies, thus assisting trade to increase the conformity level of products towards the most reputable standards and practices.

Benefiting from its leading position in Pre-Shipment Inspection activities, the Cotecna group has deployed further competencies into conformity services combining products and standards expertise, testing capabilities, consultancy proficiency, and conformity assessments know-how. Today such activities are performed on all continents and benefit from a range of reputable accreditations and memberships, demonstrating assessed and recognized expertise.

The VoC services usually follow three progressive phases (also called “routes”), using trade history and risk evaluation to define the verification (inspection, testing) scope. These phases are applicable in sequence for a given exporter and its given products:

1. Inspection and testing of products before shipment, resulting in the issuance of a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) if compliant, or a Non-Conformity Report (NCR) if not. The exporter receives the CoC for import clearance. Products arriving in destination without a valid CoC will have to be verified at the importer’s expense: In case of proven non-conformity (NCR), the products in question cannot be imported.
2. If the VoC history is acceptable, Cotecna will assess the exporter / manufacturer procedures and capabilities, and test a product type sample in order to issue a product registration that will be valid for one year. The registration benefit is to decrease the number of inspections, tests, and associated costs for the exporter. Should random inspections or tests demonstrate that the products fail to conform, the registration will be stopped and route 1 will apply.
3. When the registration history is adequate, Cotecna will audit the manufacturer’s production and systems and will test type samples. If satisfactory, a license to use a mark of conformity for the product concerned will be issued. The exporter will then benefit from a minimum number of inspections and tests. Again if problems are identified, other routes as above will be imposed. The product license will be valid for a period of time.

Cotecna VoC activities bring several tangible benefits:

• Products available to consumers are verified and meet standards and technical regulations, thus protecting consumers’ health and safety.
• Fight against fraudulent, counterfeit, bad quality or sub-standards products.
• Issuance of Certificates of Conformity in a transparent manner, based on inspection and testing evidence.
• Facilitate trade and clearance process at Customs entry points allowing products to enter destination market without delays.
• Conformity assessments are performed at origin (before shipment) to avoid re-exportation or destruction of non-conforming goods arriving in the country of destination.
• Allows the comparison of local products with imported products on quality and conformity criteria.
• Facilitate the export of local products conforming to the same standards as foreign products.
• Speed and professionalism of verification of conformity. 

Click here for the VoC infosheet