In many cases, extensive documentation is required to prove that a construction product meets certain requirements. These include test and classification reports, reports on the monitoring of factory production control, safety data sheets, recipes, etc., which are usually not intended to be published in full and which, moreover, are often only understood by specialists.

Authorities responsible for the surveillance of construction products therefore often require an additional document containing a summarized technical assessment in the form of a certificate from an independent body.

Accordingly, the starting point is to determine whether a certification procedure is necessary. If so, the requirements for the construction products (standard, approval, etc.) and the areas of use (sizes, indoor/outdoor use, fire behaviour, fire resistance, etc.) are specified. This clarifies which documents must be available for the product properties.

When the construction product is expected to fulfil the requirements, an initial surveillance of the production and factory production control is carried out. Subsequently, the rights and obligations of the manufacturer/distributor and the certification body are defined in a certification agreement. The certification body then assesses on the basis of the available documents whether all requirements are met and issues a certificate if this is the case.

Certificates can be decisive for market access and thus for the success of business activities. Against this background, the certification body must ensure the greatest possible objectivity and transparency in its decisions. Therefore we guarantee:

• absolute confidentiality,
• equal treatment in principle of all companies and
• transparent procedures for dealing with complaints and appeals against certification decisions.           

It is often useful to contact the certification body at an early stage because this helps to prepare important decisions better. If, for example, a test result cannot be recognized in the certification procedure because sampling was not carried out correctly or because special conditions such as the mounting of test specimens were not observed, this can cost time and money.