Digital Certificate of Conformity
PTB is developing a digital, machine-readable certificate of conformity (Digital Certificate of Conformity, D-CoC), initially for conformity assessments according to ISO/IEC 17065 in legal metrology (D-CoC M), as well as in the legally regulated area of explosion protection (D-CoC Ex). Here, administrative information and data confirmed in tests are brought together and can be used as a digital certificate in further QI processes such as the declaration of conformity or market surveillance. One possible use is the retrieval of certificate data in the field using a smartphone and the QI-Cloud.
A Digital Certificate of Conformity (D-CoC) is a flexible, machine-readable, modular and standardized XML schema developed to support the digitalization of conformity assessments according to ISO/IEC 17065.
Designed to enable structured interoperable conformity data, the D-CoC forms the basis for integrating metrological information into automated and digital quality infrastructures.
Definition
PTB is developing a digital, machine-readable certificate for conformity assessment (Digital Certificate of Conformity, D-CoC), initially for conformity assessments according to ISO/IEC 17065 in legal metrology (D-CoC M), as well as in the legally regulated area of explosion protection (D-CoC Ex). Here, administrative information and data confirmed in tests are brought together and can be used as a digital certificate in further QI processes such as the declaration of conformity or market surveillance. One possible use is the retrieval of certificate data in the field using a smartphone and the QI-Cloud.
A Digital Certificate of Conformity (D-CoC) is a flexible, machine-readable, modular and standardized XML schema developed to support the digitalization of conformity assessments according to ISO/IEC 17065.
Designed to enable structured interoperable conformity data, the D-CoC forms the basis for integrating metrological information into automated and digital quality infrastructures.
Automatic data transfer from old documents, plausibility checks of entries and simply a little less paperwork: digitalisation makes working with certificates of conformity more efficient. This is because digital certificates are created quickly, are available throughout the entire life cycle of a product and simplify the exchange of data between all bodies involved. As part of the "QI-Digital Initiative" funded by the BMWK, ways to digitally transform various elements of the quality infrastructure (QI) in Germany are being examined and developed. We are designing and testing digital Certificates of Conformity prototypes in the QI Digital pilot project Reliable Hydrogen Refuelling Station.
Only pay for the fuel you have filled up with, and do so safely as usual - even if the petrol pump may soon be filling up with hydrogen instead of petrol. This matter of course is based on several regulations that require conformity assessments, including the Measurement and Calibration Act and the European Explosion Protection Directive. In future, a joint "Digital Certificate of Conformity" (D-CoC) could be created and sent out that takes both regulations into account. To this end, we at PTB are developing a data structure for the certification information in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17065, as well as tools for creating, editing and viewing the certificate information. Existing digital "tools" are used as much as possible. The digital data structure will ultimately be submitted as a draft standard.
For digital certificates such as the D-CoC, the incoming data must be machine-readable, ideally even machine-interpretable. Which means it must be recorded in a standardised template structure. Later, the data available in this way can be automatically transferred and plausibility checks can be carried out more quickly and easily. In addition, the documents should be made available to users, such as manufacturers or calibration authorities, in human-readable form.
Features D-CoC
Practicability within the European Internal Market
At European level, many regulations on measuring devices such as electricity meters, scales or petrol pumps and exhaust gas measuring devices are summarized in two directives, the MID and the NAWID. Conformity assessment bodies that have been designated in accordance with these directives (so-called notified bodies) issue various certificates for placing measuring instruments on the market. The aim of this project work is therefore to develop structures that are used and recognized throughout Europe. The european coordination group for conformity assessment bodies in legal metrology according to these directives is NoBoMet (Notified Bodies in Legal Metrology). One of NoBoMet's tasks is to reach agreement on certificate content and formats with the aim of standardizing specifications for all European bodies. In 2021, we therefore initiated a project group for the creation of digital certificates. So far, the group has mainly dealt with EU-type examination certificates, but quality assurance notifications and certificates for product testing are also on the agenda.
European coordination group
for conformity assessment bodies
in legal metrology
Networking
We use various formats to exchange information with other stakeholders, such as manufacturers' associations, calibration authorities and generally interested parties. On one hand, we have reported our objectives and results thus far to renowned national committees. On the other hand, we inform all interested parties on the website of the QI-Digital initiative, at our upcoming user meetings and present our results to industry and political representatives at events such as the QI-Digital Forum.