---------- Original message from Victor L. Boersma ---------- > In the mean time I have another riddle, one of our members informs me that the > government body in Groningen in the Netherlands, which at one time would have > been the equivalent of BABT, has closed shop and transferred its Notified Body > status to Telefication. The question than arises, who did become the Approval > Authority in the Netherlands, or do they feel there is no longer a need for an > Approval Authority ??? Or, can private sector bodies become Authorities ??? > > It would be like BABT closing down and transferring its authority to KTL, or > BAPT transferring its authority to CETECOM ????
Vic My information agrees with yours. HDTP in Groningen used to be responsible for approval in The Netherlands (both nationally and on a pan-European level). I think the situation changed a couple of years ago. I believe that some of the former HDTP employees are now at Telefication TRQ. Both Telefication (TRQ) and NMi Certin now have authority to grant national Dutch approval and pan-European approval as Notified Bodies under 91/263/EC. Interestingly they are both also Designated Laboratories as well as Notified and Competent bodies under 89/336/EC. There has been much publicity over recent weeks about test laboratories extending into the area of approval authorities/Notified Bodies and vice-versa. As I understand it, the two sides of any such business would have to be well distanced from each other in order to maintain impartiality. Increased competition in this area can only be a good thing for manufacturers who can make the choice themselves as to which body they go to. Approval authorities and Notified Bodies will have to look more closely at the service they provide if they want to keep existing customers and win new ones. As for KTL becoming a Notified Body, we already are - under the LVD, and a Competent Body under the EMC Directive. A Notified Body under the TTE Directive?...... now that would be interesting! Regards ------------------------------ Ben Wrigley Senior Approvals Specialist KTL Saxon Way Priory Park West Hull HU13 9PB UK Phone: +44 (0)1482 801801 Fax: +44 (0)1482 801806 Web: http://www.ktl.co.uk Email: mailto:[email protected]
