The term "certificate" in translation from Latin means "done right." In the modern world, in the conditions of market relations, subjects often encounter difficulties in assessing the quality and reliability of their products. According to international experience, a tool that guarantees the quality component of the product meets all the requirements is certification. It is also a set of measures carried out to confirm with documentation that the products meet standards, norms or other scientific and technical documentation.
Foreign companies spend considerable money on proving to their customers that their products are of the highest quality. Sometimes such costs are comparable to the money that was spent to achieve this level of product. Why it happens? Because the certification of products is an effective means of promoting the development of trade and economic relations of the country, helping to promote the released items on the external and internal market. It also allows you to fix them there for a long time.
Certification of products is an integral part of protecting the market from unusable products. Safety, protection of health and the environment have led to the need to establish the responsibility of the manufacturer, supplier, seller for the introduction of low-quality products into the trade. In addition, there is a goal to establish mandatory minimum requirements that relate to the properties of goods being put into circulation.
Responsibility is spelled out in the law "On Protection of Consumer Rights" (Russia), the law "On Responsibility for Products" (Europe). Minimum performance requirements relate to a product group or to individual
product properties, such as certification of communications equipment.
In order for products that fall within the scope of legislative regulation to be put into circulation, an official confirmation of their compliance with the requirements of a third party is necessary. Product certification bodies carry out identification, certification, issue licenses and certificates, and carry out inspection control. Such organizations must be accredited by the State Standard of Russia, confirming the right to perform the selected activity.
Certification of products can be both mandatory and voluntary. A mandatory definition of quality is proof of the compliance of the facilities with the requirements established by regulatory documents. Its main goal is to protect the consumer from low-quality goods. In Russia, to achieve this goal, the “GOST R System” was established, approved by the State Standard.
Voluntary certification of products is carried out on the initiative of individuals and organizations on contractual terms. Its purpose is to confirm the compliance of facilities with the requirements of standards, technical specifications, documentation. It is carried out by voluntary certification bodies that are part of the system. They can be formed by a legal entity that has registered a mark of conformity with the State Standard.