NIST SP 951
A Guide to EU Standards and Conformity Assessment

Manufacturers, inside or outside of the EEA, may choose any Notified Body that has been designated to carry out the conformity assessment procedure(s) specified in applicable directive(s). Certificates issued by a Notified Body in one Member State must be accepted throughout the EEA.

Lists of Notified Bodies are published by the European Commission in the "Official Journal of the European Communities." A hard copy may be requested from Mrs. Janette AISTROPE, Tel: 011-322-299-9060, Fax: 011-322-296-0851, E-mail Janette, Aistrope@cec.eu.int. At present, these lists are not available electronically.

Competent Bodies

The Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC) is unique in that, in addition to Notified Bodies, it references Competent Bodies (accredited testing houses). According to the EMC Directive, a Competent Body must be consulted when the manufacturer has not used (all) applicable Harmonized Standards in the design or production of the product. This manufacturer's Technical File will have to contain a technical report or certificate obtained from a Competent Body. The role of the Competent Body, therefore, is to assist the manufacturer in assessing and elucidating the compliance of his product with the EMC Directive by issuing technical reports and certificates.

Notified Bodies, on the other hand, are specified within the EMC Directive to be consulted only for an EC type approval for transmitting equipment.

Competent Authorities

Competent Authorities are Ministries of National Governments of EEA Member States and are responsible for the supervision of the market and products already on the market.

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Technology Services, Standards Services Division, Global Standards and Information Group Contact: maureen.breitenberg@nist.gov A Guide to EU Standards and Conformity Assessment, NIST SP 951

Date Created: 05/31/00 Last Modified: 05/31/00