Regulation (EU) 2016/426 of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

3.3. Quality system

3.3.1. The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of his quality system with the notified body of his choice, for the appliances or fittings concerned.

The application shall include:

(a)

the name and address of the manufacturer and, if the application is lodged by the authorised representative, his name and address as well;

(b)

a written declaration that the same application has not been lodged with any other notified body;

(c)

all relevant information for the appliance or the fitting approved under module B;

(d)

the documentation concerning the quality system;

(e)

the technical documentation of the approved type and a copy of the EU type-examination certificate.

3.3.2. The quality system shall ensure that the appliances or fittings are in conformity with the type described in the EU type-examination certificate and comply with the requirements of this Regulation that apply to them.

All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records.

It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:

(a)

the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to product quality;

(b)

the corresponding manufacturing, quality control and quality assurance techniques, processes and systematic actions that will be used;

(c)

the examinations and tests that will be carried out before, during and after manufacture, and the frequency with which they will be carried out;

(d)

the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, qualification reports on the personnel concerned, etc.;

(e)

the means of monitoring the achievement of the required product quality and the effective operation of the quality system.

3.3.3. The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.3.2.

It shall presume conformity with those requirements in respect of the elements of the quality system that comply with the corresponding specifications of the relevant harmonised standard.

In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant product field and the product technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of this Regulation. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer's premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in point 3.3.1(e), to verify the manufacturer's ability to identify the relevant requirements of this Regulation and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the appliance or the fitting with those requirements.

The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision.

3.3.4. The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient.

3.3.5. The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.

The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.3.2 or whether a reassessment is necessary.

It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision.