Type approval

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Type approval is granted to a product that meets a minimum set of regulatory, technical and safety requirements. Generally, type approval is required before a product is allowed to be sold in a particular country, so the requirements for a given product will vary around the world.

Compliance to type-approval requirements is often denoted by a marking on the back of the product. The familiar CE mark found on the back of many electronic devices, for example, means that the product has obtained type approval in the European Union. On the other hand, in China type approval is denoted by the CCC mark.

It is important to note that type approval is not a term confined to a particular industry. Type-approval requirements exist for products as diverse as marine equipment, mobile phones or medical equipment. Type approval simply means that the product is guaranteed to meet certain requirements for its type, whatever that may be.

[edit] In the automotive industry

All cars manufactured in the EU must have type approval. This involves an independent body either carrying out or witnessing vehicle tests. In the UK this function is performed by the VCA (Vehicle certification authority). This body has the power to hand out ISO certifications.