Product surveillance certification by several UK Approved Bodies: UK21/G003
Adopted EU recommendation GEN-003. UK approved recommendation on how to obtain product surveillance certification by several UK Approved Bodies.
Question
A company is not allowed to obtain a Module B certification for the same product from two different UK Approved Bodies.
Is this concept applicable to the surveillance control modules D and E?
Recommendation
Yes. The manufacturer may choose one UK Approved Body for the Type‐Examination certification (Module B) and a different Approved Body for the surveillance phase (module D, E or F as appropriate). On completion of the two phases (i.e. B+D, B+E, B+F or G) the manufacturer can affix the “red ensign” and draw up his Declaration of Conformity.
A manufacturer, for a given production site, may only have his production or product quality process controlled by one Approved Body for any specific product.
It is possible for different Type Examined products to be controlled by different Approved Bodies provided each Module D or E certificate issued relates to a different valid Module B certificate. Then the Module D or E certificate is valid only for that specific product.
In practice such surveillance duplication would be extremely difficult to control and expensive to implement. Accordingly, it is recommended that one Approved Body carries out the quality surveillance. This does not preclude a client changing his Approved Body at a later stage if he so wished.
Note: Should a manufacturer chooses more than one Approved Body to carry out the surveillance modules D or E for different products, the manufacturer must ensure that the correct notified body number is marked on each product.
References
- MSN 1874 as amended
- The Merchant Shipping (Marine Equipment) Regulations 2016 as amended
Items affected
- All equipment covered under Annex 1 of MSN 1874 as amended
More information
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 2/21
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
Telephone: +44 (0) 203 817 2000
Email: MEQA@mcga.gov.uk
Website: www.gov.uk/mca