Certification vs Conformity Declaration: Not the Same Thing
Division of labour
| Instrument | What it is |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Mandatory legal requirements |
| Standard | How to comply and how to verify |
| Certification | Third-party evaluation against a standard |
| Declaration of conformity | Manufacturer's own statement |
Common misunderstandings
A certificate does not automatically mean regulatory compliance; certificates have scope and validity. Meeting a standard is not the same as being certified.
Working method
Keep three lists at project start: applicable regulations, referenced standards, and required certificates or test reports.