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Types of Conformity Assessment
Conformity assessment activities can be performed by many types of organizations or individuals. It can be conducted by
- first party, which is generally the supplier or manufacturer;
- second party, which is generally the purchaser or user of the product;
- third party, which is an independent entity that is generally distinct from the first or second party and has no interest in transactions between the two parties; or
- the government, which has a unique role in conformity assessment activities related to regulatory requirements. It should be noted that in the procurement area, the government acts as a second party.
The following are different types of conformity assessment activities that these organizations use to determine that products, services, systems, persons, or bodies meet the specified requirements. While each of these activities is a distinct operation, they are closely interrelated.