While implementing an ISO or IEC standard brings innumerable benefits, assessment by an independent body not only ensures it has been used as intended, but also demonstrates to stakeholders that it is well in place. Marks of conformity play an important role in conveying that the product fulfils the requirements for characteristics such as safety, quality, origin, performance, reliability or impact on the environment, as long as they are issued and used appropriately. The International Standard that addresses this has just been updated.
Marks of conformity are found on products, certificates and publications and can take different forms in various media, such as quick response (QR) codes or distributed ledger technology (e.g. blockchain). They help to instil confidence in the market by demonstrating that the product or service meets the indicated requirements and that this has been verified.
Developed by ISO and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), ISO/IEC 17030, Conformity assessment – General requirements for third-party marks of conformity, provides an international benchmark for the issue of third-party marks of conformity to ensure that they are used in a consistent, comparable and reliable manner worldwide. The standard provides general requirements for third-party marks of conformity, including their issue and use, and is applicable to marks used in different forms and various media.
Key improvements to the standard include enhanced clarification of various requirements and symbols, extra information and alignment of language with the CASCO toolbox, a range of standards developed by ISO’s committee on conformity assessment (CASCO) and dedicated to the operation of conformity assessment bodies.
For further information, see our page on certification and conformity assessment.