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IEC 60050-902: Conformity Assessment Vocabulary — International Electrotechnical Vocabulary
Testing, Inspection, Certification, Accreditation: Four Words That Gate Your Product Exports
IEC 60050-902:2013 defines the strict differences between certification, accreditation, inspection, and testing — terms commonly confused in daily English but carrying vastly different legal implications in international trade.
| Term | Performed By | On What | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Testing | Laboratory | Sample | Dielectric test on switchgear |
| Inspection | Inspection body | Product/process | Pre-shipment visual check |
| Certification | Certification body | Product/system | Issuing CE/CCC certificate |
| Accreditation | Accreditation body | Lab/cert. body | CNAS accrediting a lab |
Why it matters: EU-bound products require test reports from an accredited laboratory. A lab with only CMA (China Metrology Accreditation, no international mutual recognition) cannot issue reports accepted by EU customers — risking customs rejection. The IECEE CB Scheme operates on these exact definitions. Understanding the difference between certification and accreditation is the difference between a product clearing customs and being returned.
TN Lab — Four words. Their precise definitions determine whether your product reaches its market.
