Certified or Verified to an Industry Standard… is there a Difference?

In terms of compliance to a standard, ie AS/NZS 4760:2019 (which relates to the procedure for specimen collection and the detection of drugs in oral fluid) and AS3547:2019 (for electronic breath alcohol testing devices), there is a significant distinction between certification and verification.

 

Certified to a Standard

  • Certification means that a product has been tested by an independent, accredited body and found to fully comply with ALL the requirements of a specific standard. This process typically involves formal testing, auditing, and approval by a certification organisation, granting an official certificate.
  • By using the term “certified” you are giving customers the highest level of confidence that the product has undergone rigorous testing to meet all the requirements of the standard.
  • AS/NZS 4760 independent testing is done by RASL (Australia’s largest independent drug testing laboratory) who also act as the certifying authority.
  • AS/NZS 3547 is certified in Germany who perform independant testing and the certification authority is in Australia with SAI Global.
  • This is why you can have confidence when you see our statements like… “Our Druglizer is certified to AS/NZS 4760:2019, ensuring it meets the highest standards for drug testing in oral fluid, providing you with reliable and accurate results that comply with Australian regulations.”

Verified to a Standard

  • Verification typically means that the product has been tested or evaluated (possibly in-house or through a third-party lab) to demonstrate that it meets certain aspects or performance criteria of the standard.
  • This DOES NOT involve a formal certification process nor is the testing performed with any credibility because it is not independent.
  • This is unfortunately an attempt to “self-certify” and the immediate challenge here is that the industry feels a standard is necessary and important for safety.
  • Why should an organisation be allowed to self-certify and confuse organisations who are just trying to create a safer workplace? Wouldn’t it be like performing your own driving-test and issuing yourself a licence?
  • Verification may indicate an intent to achieve alignment with the standard but without the involvement of a formal certifying body & without INDEPENDENT involvement how does that meet your needs if you end up in court? What will your defence be?
  • Verified suggests that the product has been tested to comply with the standard, which may not carry the weight or formality of a certification.
  • Who performed the testing? What are their qualifications to do the testing? Who supervised the testing? Was it impartial?
  • An example to look out for would be …. “Our product has been verified against AS/NZS 4760:2019 to ensure it meets key industry standards for oral fluid drug testing, delivering dependable and compliant performance.”

Are you providing testing for a safer workplace?

The environment, tests conducted, and inherent risks in workplace safety means the products and equipment being used must be compliant to Australian Standards. Certified products are put to the test before you have to! This ensures they will perform for their intended use and provide the safety outcomes required.

Certified products are higher quality. They are designed, engineered and manufactured for safe, long lasting, hard wearing and productive application. Standards support the quality, efficiency, safety and consistency of the products and services they provide.