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= Testing, Inspection and Certification sector = |
= Testing, Inspection and Certification sector = |
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The '''Testing, Inspection and Certification''' (TIC) sector is comprised of [[conformity assessment]] bodies who provide services ranging from [[auditing]] and [[inspection]], to [[testing]], [[Third-party verification|verification]], [[quality assurance]] and [[certification]]. The sector is comprised of both in-house and outsourced services. |
The '''Testing, Inspection and Certification''' (TIC) sector is comprised of [[conformity assessment]] bodies who provide services ranging from [[auditing]] and [[inspection]], to [[testing]], [[Third-party verification|verification]], [[quality assurance]] and [[certification]]. The sector is comprised of both in-house and outsourced services. |
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== Definition of Testing, Inspection and Certification services == |
== Definition of Testing, Inspection and Certification services == |
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Revision as of 13:01, 16 January 2018
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Testing, Inspection and Certification sector
The Testing, Inspection and Certification (TIC) sector is comprised of conformity assessment bodies who provide services ranging from auditing and inspection, to testing, verification, quality assurance and certification. The sector is comprised of both in-house and outsourced services.
Definition of Testing, Inspection and Certification services
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), international standard-setting bodies composed of representatives from various national standards organizations define the different testing, inspection and certification services in the international standard series ISO/IEC 17000:2004 Conformity assessment -- Vocabulary and general principles as[1]:
- Testing: determination of one or more characteristics of an object of conformity assessment, according to a procedure.
- Inspection: examination of a product design, product, process or installation and determination of its conformity with specific requirements or, on the basis of professional judgement, with general requirements [citation needed].
- Certification: third-party attestation related to products, processes, systems or persons
The TIC Market
According to financial analysts, the global testing, inspection and certification market is estimated at approximately 200 billion euros, with roughly 43% out-sourced to independent TIC companies. The independent TIC industry, likewise, remains fragmented as SMEs operating locally or in niche disciplines account for 60% of the addressable market, with the top 15 players accounting for 40% of the addressable market . Independent TIC companies provide services to a number of sectors ranging from agriculture, automotive, commodities, consumer, environmental, food, life sciences, industrial, maritime,medical, oil & gas, petrochemical, leisure, education, systems compliance, and trade assurance[2].
History
The history of testing, inspection and certification services spans back several centuries. In the late 19th century, following the advent of the industrial revolution and the considerable risks involved with high-pressure steam boilers, specialized institutions emerged across Europe which carried out periodical inspections of such vessels to assess their overall condition as a precautionary measure to avoid large and often deadly damages[3]. Likewise, several of today’s leading TIC companies started as classification societies in the 18th and 19th century to provide information to shipping underwriters on the condition of ships and equipment[4].
Independent Testing, Inspection and Certification services
As a result of globalization, supply chains becoming increasingly more complex, outsourcing and rising end user quality expectations, the demand for independent TIC services has increased as businesses aim to ensure that products, infrastructures and processes meet the required standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility reducing the risk of failure, accidents and disruption[5]. This includes such services as the testing and inspection of bulk carriers and their cargos possibly carrying commodities such as petroleum, grains or livestock.
Independent TIC companies also play a key role in aiding governments fulfill their mandate in protecting consumers against hazardous products. In the European Union, for example, under the New Approach directives, certain product categories require assessment by accredited independent TIC companies, known as Notified Bodies[6]. In the United States, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 stipulates that third-party testing and certification of certain products is mandatory prior to being placed on the market.
Major Players
Some of the market leaders in the sector are SGS Group, Bureau Veritas SA, Intertek Group PLC, DEKRA SE, Eurofins, TÜV SÜD AG, DNV GL, TÜV Rheinland, UL, Applus, SYNLAB, TÜV Nord AG, Lloyds Register Group Limited, ALS, Apave, Socotec, Saybolt, Kiwa Group and RINA.
TIC associations
Several associations exist representing the TIC industry. Examples of TIC associations are the International Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA) which represents roughly 60 of the world’s leading TIC companies and the International Confederation of Inspection and Certification Organisations (CEOC) representing 30 independent TIC organisations in Europe, the American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL), the European Federation of National Associations of Measurement, Testing and Analytical Laboratories (EUROLAB) and European Testing Inspection and Certification Systems (ETICS).
See also
References
- ^ "ISO/IEC 17000:2004(en) Conformity assessment — Vocabulary and general principles". ISO. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ "Testing, Inspection and Certification Market is Anticipated to Reach US$ 299,628.6 Mn by 2025: Transparency Market Research". PRnewswire. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ Anniversary Book - 50 Years of Public Safety (PDF). CEOC International. 2011. pp. 7–11.
- ^ "Classification societies – what, why and how?" (PDF). IACS - International Association of Classification Societies. IACS. p. 4. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
- ^ White Paper - Trends & Challenges for the third party TIC Sector (PDF). CEOC International. September 2015.
- ^ "Notified Bodies - European Commission". European Commission. European Commission. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
External links
The International Federation of Inspection Agencies (IFIA)
The International Confederation of Inspection and Certification Organisations (CEOC)
American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL)
European Testing Inspection and Certification Systems (ETICS)
Testing, Inspection and Certification sector
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