Capability Approval certified as "Attestation of Conformity"

Capability approval is carried out on delivered samples to demonstrate passing of all electrical or safety requirements.

Certified connecting hardware, permanent links and channels having a valid Attestation of Conformity cannot be identified by a 3P notation on the component or component packaging, as no follow up service is possible for 3P. However, brochure material may state that the connecting hardware, permanent link or channel has been tested by 3P. Such a statement is only possible as long as the Attestation of Conformity stays valid.

Being based on one time testing with no factory inspection or follow up testing, 3P cannot certify that the same high quality level is maintained in the future. However, 3P has the general experience that the quality stays constant, at least for some period of time, and therefore the issued certificates stay valid one year after issue. After this one year the link to the Attestation of Conformity will be removed from the 3P homepage, but the originally granted certification will be listed in the 3P homepage for two more years, with a note that the user should carefully evaluate that modifications of performance have not been made since the original certification.

Attestations of Conformity are issued for connecting hardware, and permanent links and channels, but not for cables or cords. 3P concludes that a full production line qualification is necessary for assuring the quality of these components.

Full Production Line Qualification certified as "Compliance Statement"

Full production line qualification is a more comprehensive type of certification. It includes both factory inspection, initial capability approval of components, and a continuous follow up testing of components selected by 3P at the manufacturer during regular inspection visits. A new inspection visit is carried out every 6 months for cables and patch cords, and every 12 months for connecting hardware.

Qualified cables, connecting hardware and cords having a valid Compliance Statement may be marked "3P Verified" on the components, packaging and brochure material.

Being based on continued monitoring of the quality of the components Compliance Statements are therefore valid as long as the programme is running. A Compliance Statement will be updated regularly to reflect the latest performed maintenance of qualification testing (date is found on the certificate).

Compliance Statements are issued for cables, cords and connecting hardware. This means that connecting hardware can be certified by either a capability approval or by a full production line qualification.