What is Certification?

The term 'certification' describes the independent testing and assessment activities of a neutral body that bases its decisions on single-minded commitment to the cause, and stands aloof from economic interests. 'Conformity assessment' is another term for these activities, which comprise the testing and assessment of products, companies and persons for their conformance with requirements as defined by the generally accepted technical rules and standards.

The DVGW Certification Body enables product manufacturers, specialist companies, utility companies and experts to furnish proof positive of compliance with state-of-the-art requirements in their particular field of activity, both vis-à-vis their customers and their partners in the market. This is done by producing evidence of conformity on the basis of the DVGW Regulations and the accepted technical and test standards.

The DVGW Certification Body carries out its work on its own responsibility and on the basis of the principles applying to each particular procedure, which are laid down in the Rules of Procedure. Recognition by the legislator, or by an accreditation body authorised by the legislator is an indispensable prerequisite for these activities. Such recognition, in turn, is based on stringent and uniform criteria.

As the European Single Market is progressing towards more harmonisation, certification procedures are gaining significance that they are governed at a European level by the so-called EC Single Market Directives. Thanks to the DVGW's pro-active involvement in defining European standards and rules, the DVGW Certification Body was, at a very early stage, accredited and registered as Notified Body for gas appliances in accordance with the EC Gas Appliances Directive. It perceives itself as a modern specialist certification authority and has undergone supplementary accreditation procedures in the meanwhile so as to ensure the continuous availability of a complete range of services for the gas and water industry.