Historical Understandings of International Conformity Assessment Systems

The nature of conformity assessment (i.e., testing, inspection, and certification) has evolved throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. This article reviews the major changes that have taken place over the more recent half-century, the current situation, and ways in which those changes have led to safer, higher-quality, and less costly electrical and electronic equipment and systems. The author concludes that further internationalization of standards and conformity assessment is both necessary and desirable.