Introduction to certification content:
MET (MET Laboratories, Inc) is the abbreviation for Maryland Electrical Testing. Established in 1959 in Maryland (US headquarters), the first nationally recognized laboratory (NRTL). Engaged in product testing technology and certification. The US laboratory is located in Baltimore (Maryland), Santa Clara (California, Silicon Valley), Union City (California, Silicon Valley), Austin (Texas), and the US branch is located in North Carolina, Chicago, Detroit. MET officially entered the Asian market in 2006 and established its first Asian office in Shenzhen, China. Established a South Korean office in 2010. In 2011, the Taiwan office was established.
Certification application process
MET certification application process
-Customers inquire about MET services and fill out the service application form RFQ
-MET provides a quotation
-Customer sign back on the quotation
-MET provides application materials, forms, relevant documents, and payment details
-Customer paid expenses
-Product Qualification Coaching
-The customer submits all necessary application documents and samples
-MET case testing and providing account and password for project tracking
-End of testing, file verification
-First factory inspection
-Issuance of certificates and reports
-Complete [5]
During the inquiry stage, customers should provide the following materials as much as possible for prompt processing
1) Circuit Schematic Electrical Schematic, Wiring Diagram of Circuit Board
2) Construction Diagram Product Structure Diagram, Internal Diagram
3) Product Manual, better with pictures
4) BOM Product Key Parts List
During the project initiation phase, the client should provide the following materials as much as possible to facilitate the smooth progress of the project
1) Product specific description: product name, model, parameters, nameplate, purpose
2) Specific electrical diagrams and wiring diagrams for circuit boards
3) Various signs, labels, and warning messages attached to the product
4) A complete product manual, including a description of the main functions of the product, user guidance, important tips, etc
5) List of key parts and certification certificates for parts. If the parts on the product include (but are not limited to) transformers, filter components, converters, motors, etc., the customer needs to provide detailed specifications for the parts according to MET's requirements at the same time
6) If additional parts are required during testing, the customer should provide spare parts according to MET's requirements. Generally refers to transformers, fuses, full bridge diodes, power FETs, etc. that are not immersed in paint.
Notes for filling out the 'RFQ for Application for Certification'
1) When applying for product certification or testing, please fill in detailed product information on the 'Product Certification Application Form RFQ' as much as possible.
2) Listee/Application, as the holder of certification, is responsible for all costs of certification and communication with MET personnel in case of non-compliance during factory inspections.
3) If an agent acts as an agent for this application, the agent is responsible for the authenticity of all information for this certification. During this certification process, MET regards the agent as the primary contact person. After the certification application is completed, unless otherwise stated, MET will only contact the certification holder directly.
Factory Inspection
According to the management regulations of certification agencies, factory inspection is an indispensable part of maintaining the effectiveness of product certification by certification agencies. Therefore, correctly understanding the requirements of various aspects of factory inspection is the primary task for manufacturers to carry out certification management.
From the perspective of maintaining the effectiveness of certification, manufacturers need to establish an operational certification management system to manage all aspects of product certification, meet the management requirements of product certification, and continuously improve.
Manufacturers should incorporate certification management into their existing management systems and optimize the system in order to achieve synergistic effects. If we excessively pursue an independent certification management system, it will inevitably result in excessive management costs. First factory inspection PCFI
During the first inspection of PCFI (Pre Certification Factory Inspection), the auditor needs to confirm but not limited to the effectiveness of various elements of the quality system and the calibration status of the testing equipment. The auditor needs to review the necessary documents and materials of the factory and discuss with the factory the way to track and inspect in the future. The auditor will explain the tracking inspection audit form to the factory and answer any questions your company's production personnel may encounter during the inspection. The first inspection will be determined through consultation between the auditor and relevant personnel of your company. The first factory inspection PCFI is the first of four factory inspections in the first year.
The products produced by the manufacturer in the factory must be completely consistent with the products evaluated and tested by MET. A factory needs to have several very basic quality system elements in order for MET to conduct factory inspections by the manufacturer to confirm whether this requirement is met. The elements of these quality systems must be implemented before product production and labeling, and will be reviewed during the first factory inspection.
Routine factory inspection
The frequency of factory inspections for MET certification, except for products used in hazardous environments, is twice a year. Products used in hazardous environments are indicated in the MET report, and the corresponding factory inspection is conducted 4 times a year. Starting from March 2009, in response to the requirements of relevant government departments in the United States, all new Chinese factories applying for certification underwent four inspections in the first year, followed by two inspections per year thereafter. Routine factory inspections need to be carried out at the final manufacturing location of certified products. In certain special circumstances, such as the product being divided into several manufacturing locations for division of labor, factory inspections may be required at different manufacturing locations, depending on MET's professional judgment.