IMQ Product Certifications

Businesses, consumers and the authorities know and trust product certifications issued by IMQ because they guarantee conformity with the requirements of the reference standards and add lasting value.

Product certification provides proof that, before its market release, agiven product has been comprehensively tested by a third-party accredited body that is independent of both the seller and the manufacturer, to ensure that it complies with the requirements laid down in European and/or international directives.

Certification can be mandatory or voluntary. In the former case, it is a legal requirement, and the product cannot be commercialised unless it first undergoes all the necessary checks by an accredited body. This category includes the most complex products, such as gas appliances, medical devices, pressure equipment and certain construction products.
In the case of voluntary certification, manufacturers decide, of their own volition, to have their products checked by a third-party body so as to provide an additional guarantee of their quality and to equip the market with an effortless, transparent aid to making purchasing decisions.

IMQ can operate in both these areas. For mandatory certification, it acts in its capacity as a notified body for European reference directives (CE Certification 0051) and certain international directives. For voluntary certification, it operates as a third-party certification body accredited to issue the IMQ mark and other voluntary marks, both European and international.

Manufacturers can take advantage of IMQ’s know-how to distinguish their products on the market.

The voluntary certification system proposed by IMQ is the most comprehensive system and provides a long-term guarantee. In addition to type tests on product samples and auditing of the manufacturer’s quality assurance system , the IMQ scheme also involves production monitoring once the product has been commercialised.

The manufacturer’s production site must be equipped with suitable production, testing and control systems, personnel and equipment to ensure that the products it places on the market conform with the applicable standards at all times. This is established by carrying out an audit of the production site. For every model for which the manufacturer applies for a certification mark, IMQ conducts the type tests required by the applicable standards. The manufacturer undertakes to ensure that all certified products conform with the applicable standards at all times, and to conduct certain tests on 100% of production or on a statistical basis. IMQ ensures that these tests are performed on a regular basis and repeats them on a random selection of specimens picked from production. Attraverso visite in azienda, i valutatori analizzano la capacità delle organizzazioni di pianificare e gestire i processi di business aziendali. Management system certification is the endorsement enjoyed by organisations that have chosen to equip themselves with efficient management systems and suitable skills and structures, aimed at continuous improvement. And the higher the prestige of the awarding body, the higher the value of the guarantee. Equipped with state-of-the-art technology, our laboratories have full capability to put products through all the checks required by the major European directives and international standards. The certifications issued by IMQ are synonymous with trust. They guarantee safety, performance, efficiency and quality standards. More than 10,000 companies have turned to IMQ to certify their products and stand out on the market. Notified body for the main EU directives, IMQ offers tests and CE certifications to assess the conformity of the products to the requirements required to be marketed on the European market. Inspections and audits validate the conformity of electrical installations, equipment, supplies and services with the applicable technical and legislative specifications. IMQ certification marks add value and enhance brand image by distinguishing products made by manufacturers that have invested properly in safety and quality. IMQ certification marks are a visible guarantee, which carry weight in tender procedures, that before its release, the product in question underwent comprehensive testing by an authorised body to verify its compliance with regulatory requirements. The safety marks issued by IMQ are an important instrument that helps manufacturers protect themselves against liability for damage caused by defective products. Products certified by IMQ benefit from facilitated procedures with other European and international certification bodies and therefore enjoy an advantage in relation to export markets.