CAB - Conformity Assessment Body

See the official homepage of the designation of conformity assessment bodies at the EU

Definition (1)
Title
Conformity Assessment Body at the European Union.
Acronym
CAB
Source
New Legislative Framework
(Decision 768/2008/EC - on a common framework for the marketing of products)
Definitions
"Shall mean a body that performs conformity assessment activities including calibration, testing, certification and inspection".
Definition (2)
Source
European Commission
Description CABs:

perform the assessment and certification products, in specified sectors, which are exported to the third country (signed an MRA with the EU).
may, in practice, operate as Notified Bodies in the context of the EU internal market.
are organizations which passe through the conformity assessment procedures of the EU.

Signed by
MRA - Mutual Recognition Agreements.
Defined by

Council Resolution of 21.12.1989, on a Global Approach to certification and testing, states the guiding principles for Community policy on conformity assessment.
The Global Approach was completed by Council Decision 90/683/EEC, which was replaced and brought up to date by Council Decision 93/465/EEC.
These Decisions lay down general guidelines and detailed procedures for conformity assessment that are to be used in New Approach directives.

Procedures (I)
Designation of CABs by EU Member States
Designation enables European CABs to conduct assessments, in line with the legislation in a non-member country, on products to be placed on the market in that country. It will basically take the form of indicating the details (address, etc.) of the body, the country in question and its legislation, and the detailed technical qualifications – as requested by the third country - on the basis of which the designation is made. An identification number is not assigned to an EU CAB, which may nevertheless already possess identification number as an EU notified body.
The specific requirements that need to be checked for CABs designated by the EU Member States with respect to each MRA have to be listed in the designation dossier - in particular, evidence of the knowledge by the applicant body of the applicable third country legislation/regulations and all other relevant documentation needed to perform certification as indicated in the legislation.
For the purpose of designation, all relevant documentation and information, in line with the requirements of the third country legislation, must be provided - in particular:

Details of the CAB - name, address, contact references;
The criteria used for designation, with evidence and/or certificates providing information on all relevant qualifications (e.g. accreditation);
The scope of designation, with reference to the legislation and the type of products, sectors or standards referred to in the legislation, when appropriate;
The indication of the standards to which the designated body is qualified to test/certify.

This information/documentation will be requested for decision in the Joint Committee.
Procedure:
The Member State communicates the dossier pertaining to the applicant CAB, using form "Annex A1" (designation), or form "Annex A2" (renewal of designation) to:
The European Commission
Directorate-General for Enterprise
Unit ENTR/C/1
B-1049 Brussels

Procedures (II)
Designation of CABs by non-EU countries
Designation in this case enables non-EU CABs to assess, in line with EU directives and in accordance with the provisions of the MRA, products to be placed on the EU market. In certain sectors these CABs receive identification numbers (which will feature next to the CE marking where a CAB intervenes during the production phase). Such designation takes place according to the relevant terms of the MRA - broadly on the basis of the same criteria as for Notified Bodies. In certain sectors, according to the terms of the MRA Framework Agreement and the relevant Sectoral Annexes, these CABs will be performing the same tasks as the EU Notified Bodies. In this case, and in line with the European Commission procedures applicable for Notified bodies, they will be included in the data base of Notified Bodies.
All relevant documentation and information, in line with the requirements of the EU legislation, must be provided - in particular:

Details of the CAB - name, address, contact references;
The criteria used for designation, with evidence and/or certificates providing information on all relevant qualifications (e.g. accreditation);
The scope of designation, with reference to the legislation and the type of products, sectors or standards referred to in the legislation, when appropriate;
The indication of the standards to which the designated body is qualified to test/certify.

This information/documentation will be requested for decision in the Joint Committee.
Procedure:
The non-EU country sends the application for a conformity assessment body under the MRA, using form "Annex B1" , to:
The European Commission
Directorate-General for Trade
Unit TRADE/E/1
B-1049 Brussels.

Documents:

Specifications concerning Assessment and Supervision of Systems applying to Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) with a view to their Designation under MRAs. Document Certif. 96/1 of 26.06.1996.
Procedure for Designation of Conformity Assessment Bodies under an MRA and its Annexes. Document Certif. 96/3 Rev. 6 of 14.06.2001.

Definition (1)
Title	Conformity Assessment Body at the European Union.
Acronym	CAB
Source	New Legislative Framework (Decision 768/2008/EC - on a common framework for the marketing of products)
Definitions	"Shall mean a body that performs conformity assessment activities including calibration, testing, certification and inspection".
Definition (2)
Source	European Commission
Description	CABs: perform the assessment and certification products, in specified sectors, which are exported to the third country (signed an MRA with the EU). may, in practice, operate as Notified Bodies in the context of the EU internal market. are organizations which passe through the conformity assessment procedures of the EU.
Signed by	MRA - Mutual Recognition Agreements.
Defined by	Council Resolution of 21.12.1989, on a Global Approach to certification and testing, states the guiding principles for Community policy on conformity assessment. The Global Approach was completed by Council Decision 90/683/EEC, which was replaced and brought up to date by Council Decision 93/465/EEC. These Decisions lay down general guidelines and detailed procedures for conformity assessment that are to be used in New Approach directives.
Procedures (I) Designation of CABs by EU Member States	Designation enables European CABs to conduct assessments, in line with the legislation in a non-member country, on products to be placed on the market in that country. It will basically take the form of indicating the details (address, etc.) of the body, the country in question and its legislation, and the detailed technical qualifications – as requested by the third country - on the basis of which the designation is made. An identification number is not assigned to an EU CAB, which may nevertheless already possess identification number as an EU notified body. The specific requirements that need to be checked for CABs designated by the EU Member States with respect to each MRA have to be listed in the designation dossier - in particular, evidence of the knowledge by the applicant body of the applicable third country legislation/regulations and all other relevant documentation needed to perform certification as indicated in the legislation. For the purpose of designation, all relevant documentation and information, in line with the requirements of the third country legislation, must be provided - in particular: Details of the CAB - name, address, contact references; The criteria used for designation, with evidence and/or certificates providing information on all relevant qualifications (e.g. accreditation); The scope of designation, with reference to the legislation and the type of products, sectors or standards referred to in the legislation, when appropriate; The indication of the standards to which the designated body is qualified to test/certify. This information/documentation will be requested for decision in the Joint Committee. Procedure: The Member State communicates the dossier pertaining to the applicant CAB, using form "Annex A1" (designation), or form "Annex A2" (renewal of designation) to: The European Commission Directorate-General for Enterprise Unit ENTR/C/1 B-1049 Brussels
Procedures (II) Designation of CABs by non-EU countries	Designation in this case enables non-EU CABs to assess, in line with EU directives and in accordance with the provisions of the MRA, products to be placed on the EU market. In certain sectors these CABs receive identification numbers (which will feature next to the CE marking where a CAB intervenes during the production phase). Such designation takes place according to the relevant terms of the MRA - broadly on the basis of the same criteria as for Notified Bodies. In certain sectors, according to the terms of the MRA Framework Agreement and the relevant Sectoral Annexes, these CABs will be performing the same tasks as the EU Notified Bodies. In this case, and in line with the European Commission procedures applicable for Notified bodies, they will be included in the data base of Notified Bodies. All relevant documentation and information, in line with the requirements of the EU legislation, must be provided - in particular: Details of the CAB - name, address, contact references; The criteria used for designation, with evidence and/or certificates providing information on all relevant qualifications (e.g. accreditation); The scope of designation, with reference to the legislation and the type of products, sectors or standards referred to in the legislation, when appropriate; The indication of the standards to which the designated body is qualified to test/certify. This information/documentation will be requested for decision in the Joint Committee. Procedure: The non-EU country sends the application for a conformity assessment body under the MRA, using form "Annex B1" , to: The European Commission Directorate-General for Trade Unit TRADE/E/1 B-1049 Brussels. Documents: Specifications concerning Assessment and Supervision of Systems applying to Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) with a view to their Designation under MRAs. Document Certif. 96/1 of 26.06.1996. Procedure for Designation of Conformity Assessment Bodies under an MRA and its Annexes. Document Certif. 96/3 Rev. 6 of 14.06.2001.