What testing do I need to do for my product? Or Will my product need to be tested?
Testing requirements depend on the certification scheme, applicable standard and available evidence. Where testing is required, CMI will advise what evidence is needed and the applicable requirements for testing.

What happens after my certificate is issued?
Certification is not necessarily a one-off activity. Depending on the scheme, ongoing requirements may include surveillance activities, audits, maintaining product compliance and notifying CMI of changes to the product, manufacturing process or materials that could affect compliance.

Why should I choose certification?

Certification provides accredited evidence that a product meets specified requirements. Depending on the product and market, certification may support regulatory compliance, market access, customer or procurement requirements and provide confidence that the product has been independently assessed. Certification provides ongoing assurance through annual surveillance activities rather than relying only on a single point-in-time test.

What should I prepare for an Audit?

Audit requirements will depend on the applicable certification scheme. Generally, clients should ensure relevant manufacturing and quality documentation is current and available, including the Product Quality Plan (PQP), manufacturing processes and controls, product marking information and relevant certification records. CMI will advise the specific audit requirements applicable to the certification.

How do I correctly use the CMI certification mark or logo?

Certification marks must be used in accordance with the applicable CMI certification requirements and only in relation to products covered by the certification. Clients should ensure the correct certification mark and licence number are used, and that proposed product marking is submitted to CMI where required for review.

How do I transfer an existing certification to CMI?

To transfer an existing certification to CMI, you will need to provide information about your current certification so we can review the existing scope and supporting evidence.

Generally, this includes:

• Current certificate
• Relevant test reports and supporting data
• Previous audit report
• Current model list
• Product Quality Plan (PQP)
• Manufacturer’s Declaration
• Existing product markings and user instructions

Once the information has been reviewed, CMI will provide the relevant documentation for your review and signature and advise you of the next steps in the transfer process.

How do I get a secondary license?

A secondary license allows you to certify products under your own company name and brand, using the certification evidence and supporting data of an existing Primary Certificate Holder, with their authorization.

To apply for a secondary licence, you will generally need to provide:

• Letter of Authority from the Primary Certificate Holder allowing CMI to rely on their test reports and supporting data.
• Manufacturer’s Declaration.
• Model list showing the relationship between the currently certified models and your models.
• Product Quality Plan (PQP).
• Marking proposal showing how the CMI certification mark and your licence number will be displayed.

CMI will review the information and advise if anything further is required to complete the secondary licence.

What documents do I need to provide to begin certification?

Documentation requirements depend on the certification scheme and product. Generally, CMI may require product details and model information, applicable standards, relevant test reports or technical evidence, manufacturer information, a Manufacturer’s Declaration, Product Quality Plan (PQP) and proposed product marking. CMI will confirm the specific documentation required once the application and certification scope have been reviewed.

How long does certification take?

Certification timeframes vary depending on the certification scheme, product complexity, availability and completeness of supporting documentation and test evidence, audit requirements and whether any findings need to be resolved. Once CMI has reviewed the application and certification requirements, a more specific timeframe can be provided.

What is product certification?

Product certification is an accredited assessment process used to demonstrate that a product meets the requirements of an applicable standard or specification. Depending on the certification scheme, this may involve product testing, technical assessment, review of manufacturing controls and ongoing surveillance.

Why would I need product certification?
Certification may be required for regulatory or market access purposes, specified by an industry or customer, or voluntarily obtained by a manufacturer or supplier to independently demonstrate that a product meets specified requirements.

Is product certification mandatory?
It depends on the product, market and applicable regulatory requirements. Some products require accredited certification before they can legally be used, while accredited certification of other products may be voluntary or driven by industry, customer or procurement requirements.

What is accredited certification?
Accredited certification means the assessment is undertaken by an accredited certification body rather than the manufacturer or supplier assessing its own product. This provides accredited evidence that specified certification requirements have been met.

What is the difference between product testing and product certification?
Product testing assesses a product against specified test requirements. Product certification is broader and, depending on the certification scheme, can include assessment of test evidence, manufacturing controls, factory assessment and ongoing surveillance. A test report alone is not the same as product certification.

What happens during the certification process?
The exact process depends on the certification scheme and product. Generally, it may include:

Application and scope confirmation → applicable standard identified → technical documentation and evidence reviewed → product testing where required → manufacturing/factory assessment where required → findings resolved → certification decision → certificate issued → ongoing surveillance and maintenance.

Not sure where to begin? Follow our simple certification journey to see what to expect at each stage, from getting started to staying certified.

CMI Customer Journey