Introduction

Managers, designers, owners and operators of ships, mobile oil rigs, fixed offshore installations and industrial plants, including suppliers of materials, components and services, are faced with growing demand for proof that products, systems, work processes and personnel qualifications are in conformity with specified requirements.

Certification is a service which can be used to provide the necessary documentation and proof of confonnity.

This publication deals with the Type Approval Service. Terminology and definitions formed by internationally recognised standards, such as ISO I IEC Guides for third party certification, and European Standards developed in connection with the establishment of the European Union are used as basis for the certification system applied by Det Norske Veritas.

Type Approval is part ofDet Norske Veritas' Certification Services and is a way of certifying that the design of a product type is in conformity with specified requirements.

Certification is a procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a product, process, service or person conforms to specified requirements.

Certification bas since the foundation ofDet Norske Veritas in 1864, been an integral part of ship Classification and has in more recent years also been performed within most branches of industry.