In-depth analysis of the differences between product certification and system certification

Certification is a fundamental system under the market economy conditions to strengthen quality management and improve market transaction rates. It is conducted by third-party certification bodies with professional capabilities approved by the National Certification and Accreditation Administration. Through evaluation, they issue and publicize certificates to prove the extent to which their product quality, service quality, management performance, human resources, and other relevant aspects comply with related standards and technical specifications.

Differences between Product Certification and System Certification

1. About the types of certification currently in China

The types of certification currently in China are mainly divided into: product quality certification and management system certification.

Product quality certification includes: CCC National Compulsory Certification; Organic Product Certification; CQC Voluntary Certification.

Management system certification includes: ISO9000 Quality Management System Certification; ISO14000 Environmental Management System Certification; OHSMS Occupational Health and Safety Management System Certification; SA8000 Social Accountability Certification; HACCP Food Safety Control System Certification.

Certifications for cement enterprises mainly include: cement product quality certification, ISO9000 quality management system certification, ISO14000 environmental management system certification, and OHSMS occupational health and safety management system certification.

2. Concepts of Product Quality Certification and Quality Management System Certification

1. About Certification

The definition of "certification" in ISO/IEC Guide 2 is: "A written assurance (certificate) by a third party based on procedures that a product, process, or service meets specified requirements."

2. About Product Quality Certification

The definition in Article 2, Chapter 1 of the "Regulations on Product Quality Certification of the People's Republic of China" is: "Product quality certification is an activity based on product standards and corresponding technical requirements, where the certification body confirms and proves that a product meets the relevant standards and technical requirements by issuing certification certificates and marks."

3. About Quality Management System Certification

Quality management system certification refers to the activity where a certification body inspects, evaluates, confirms, and issues a system certification certificate to prove that an organization's quality management system meets the relevant standard requirements based on quality management system standards.

3. Similarities between Product Quality Certification and Quality Management System Certification

From the above definitions, it can be seen that the biggest commonality between product quality certification and quality management system certification is that both belong to the category of certification and have the characteristics of independent third-party quality certification. Specifically, the similarities are:

1. Both product quality certification and quality management system certification have the same certification characteristic of independent third-party quality certification.

2. Applicants for certification must have the capability to provide products that meet customer and applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

4. Differences between Product Quality Certification and Quality Management System Certification

1. Different certification objects

The object of product quality certification is standardized products produced in batches, such as various grades of cement products. Cement product quality certification can certify grade products, such as premium products, first-class products, and qualified products.

The object of quality management system certification is the quality management system of the applicant organization, regardless of product grades.

2. Different conditions for approval of certification

Article 10, Chapter 3 of the "Regulations on Quality Certification of the People's Republic of China" stipulates: "Enterprises applying for certification shall meet the following conditions:

(1) Product quality meets national or industry standard requirements;

(2) Product quality is stable and capable of normal batch production;

(3) The quality system of the manufacturing enterprise meets national quality management and quality assurance standards and supplementary requirements."

At least the following four conditions must be met for cement product quality certification approval:

1) Product quality meets national and industry standard requirements;
2) Product quality meets the requirements of the "Supplementary Technical Conditions for Cement Product Certification";
3) Product quality is stable and capable of normal batch production;
4) The quality management system meets the "Cement Product Quality Assurance Requirements."

At least the following three conditions must be met for cement enterprise quality management system certification approval:

① Product quality meets national and industry standard requirements;
② Product quality is stable and capable of normal batch production;
③ The quality management system meets the requirements of GB\T19001-2016 (ISO 9001:2015) standard.

3. Different product inspection requirements

Product quality certification requires sampling of the certified product on-site at the audited party according to national sampling methods, and sending samples to inspection agencies designated by the certification body for type testing. For cement product quality certification: for initial certification products, one mixed sample is taken from each certification unit, ten split samples are taken from one selected certification unit, and bag weight is spot-checked from one selected certification unit. For supervision, expansion, and re-evaluation (now called expiration confirmation) certification, only one mixed sample and bag weight are sampled.
Quality management system certification does not involve sampling or product type testing for initial certification, supervision, expansion, or re-evaluation certification.

4. Different nature of certification

Product quality certification is divided into compulsory certification and voluntary certification. Products involving human health and safety, animal and plant life and health, environmental protection, and public safety must undergo compulsory product certification as required by the state. Otherwise, they cannot be sold, imported, or used in business activities. The state stipulates that products not within the scope of compulsory certification follow the principle of voluntary product quality certification. Cement products currently fall within the scope of voluntary certification.
Quality management system certification is entirely voluntary.

5. Different forms of proof

The proof of product quality certification is the product certification certificate and product certification mark. The certificate and mark prove that the product meets product standards and certification conditions. The certificate may indicate the product's quality grade, such as premium, first-class, or qualified, and only one certificate is issued per product (one product, one certificate). The certification certificate for one product does not cover other products.

The proof of quality management system certification is the quality management system certification certificate and certification mark. The certificate and mark only prove that the organization's quality management system meets the quality management system standard requirements. The certificate does not indicate product quality grades but only proves that the organization has the capability to consistently provide products that meet customer and applicable legal and regulatory requirements. One certificate can cover multiple products confirmed by the certification body, meaning one certificate can cover multiple products.

6. Different uses of proof

Product quality certification certificates cannot be used on products; certification marks can be used on products approved for certification. Neither quality management system certification certificates nor certification marks can be used on products.

7. Different validity periods of certification certificates

The validity period of product quality certification certificates is five years. The validity period of quality management system certification certificates is three years.