Industry Overview

TIC Council

Industry Overview

Certification 101 - Who we are and how we improve quality of life

Certification companies exist because there is a demand in markets around the world for the independent evaluation and acceptance of products that are intended for use by both consumers and industry.

As products were introduced into the market, there was little to no oversight as to whether or not the products were constructed in such a way that they did not present a hazard to the consumer. If products cause property damage or injure consumers, nobody benefits.

The need for independent evaluation and testing of products by experts in the field of product safety was created through the increased availability and varied designs of products that improve quality of life. Our companies were founded on the principles of using science, research, and engineering to develop safety standards that are applied in the testing of products to ensure that all manufacturers designs are subjected to accepted safety criteria for their respective markets.

Manufacturers submit their products to our companies for markets that they wish to gain access to and are tested to the standards that have been developed for that type of product or device. The tests are scientifically engineered to determine how well the product was designed for safety. Products that do meet standards do not receive certification.

Our wealth of experience in the area of safety transcends generations. We actively work with technical experts from industry, universities, code authorities, governments, etc., to constantly review and update safety standards as technology evolves and new products and are designed and introduced to markets.


What are certification marks and why are they important?

Our companies take great pride in certifying products for safety, and manufacturers want to show that their products have met nationally accepted safety standards. Manufacturers’ products that have passed our certification tests are eligible to place our registered certification marks on these products. Why do they want to show this?

The certification mark on a product is the assurance to consumers, retailers, and other interested parties that representative samples of those products were tested for safety. The mark also means that the manufacturer is under obligation to continue to manufacture those products in a manner in which they continue to comply with the standards that were set forth for them.

In some countries, certain governments mandate that in order for products to be sold in their respective countries, the products must bear a safety certification mark. In certain areas, there may be building, electrical, or health codes that require certain products to bear a safety certification mark in order to be sold and utilized.

Retail establishments may also require that the products they sell bear a safety certification mark. This assures them that the products their customers purchase have been tested by an independent, non-biased certification company and found to be safe to use. It also assures their customers that the products they are purchasing are manufactured to meet safety standards and that are safe to use.

Certification marks are designed to identify the company that certified the product. They can be in the form of a label that is affixed to the product, directly stamped or printed, molded into a plastic housing; or other identifiable means that is readily apparent to the user. Certification marks are a certification company’s intellectual property; only manufacturers that obtain authorization from that certifier can use that company’s mark on their products.

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