Conformance testing

Conformance testing — an element of conformity assessment, and also known as compliance testing, or type testing — is testing or other activities that determine whether a process, product, or service complies with the requirements of a specification, technical standard, contract, or regulation. Testing is often either logical testing or physical testing. The test procedures may involve other criteria from mathematical testing or chemical testing. Beyond simple conformance, other requirements for efficiency, interoperability or compliance may apply. Conformance testing may be undertaken by the producer of the product or service being assessed, by a user, or by an accredited independent organization, which can sometimes be the author of the standard being used. When testing is accompanied by certification, the products or services may then be advertised as being certified in compliance with the referred technical standard. Manufacturers and suppliers of products and services rely on such certification including listing on the certification body's website, to assure quality to the end user and that competing suppliers are on the same level. Aside from the various types of testing, related conformance testing activities include: Surveillance Inspection Auditing Certification Accreditation. The UK government identifies three forms of testing or assessment: 1st party assessment (self assessment) 2nd party assessment (assessment by a purchaser or user of a product or service) 3rd party assessment (undertaken by an independent organisation) Conformance testing is applied in various industries where a product or service must meet specific quality and/or regulatory standards. This includes areas such as: biocompatibility proofing data and communications protocol engineering document engineering electronic and electrical engineering medical procedure proofing pharmaceutical packaging software engineering building construction (fire) In all such testing, the subject of test is not just the formal conformance in aspects of completeness of filed proofs, validity of referred certificates, and qualification of operating staff.