What is a
conformity assessment body
Also known as: CAB
A conformity assessment body (CAB) is an independent organisation that verifies whether products, services, or processes meet specified requirements. In public procurement, conformity assessment bodies provide contracting authorities with assurance that deliveries meet the required quality and standards.
How does a conformity assessment body work?
A CAB performs activities such as testing, calibration, certification, and inspection. When a contracting authority requires evidence that a delivery meets the requirements specification, it may request test reports or certificates issued by an accredited conformity assessment body. Under EU Directive 2014/24/EU (Article 44), contracting authorities may require such documentation as proof of compliance with technical specifications.
Accreditation is governed by Regulation (EC) No 765/2008, which establishes a European framework ensuring that CABs have the technical competence, impartiality, and quality systems needed to perform assessments. Each EU/EEA country has a single national accreditation body. Accredited bodies include laboratories, certification bodies, and inspection bodies.
Key rules for conformity assessment in procurement
- Equivalence: If a contracting authority requires certificates from a specific CAB, it must accept equivalent reports from other accredited bodies. The tenderer must demonstrate that the alternative body is equivalent.
- Alternative evidence: If a supplier cannot obtain the required reports within the submission deadline — through no fault of their own — the contracting authority must accept other suitable documentation, such as technical documentation from the manufacturer.
- Mutual recognition: The EU/EEA accreditation framework ensures that certificates from accredited bodies in one member state are recognised across the entire EEA area, supporting the principle of non-discrimination.
Tools like Cobrief can help suppliers identify which documentation requirements apply in a given tender procedure, ensuring that the right certificates and test reports are in place before submission.
Conformity assessment bodies are a key mechanism for ensuring quality and trust in public procurement. By relying on accredited bodies, contracting authorities receive independent confirmation that a supplier's products or services genuinely meet the technical requirements set out in the competition.