TICQA - European database of conformity assessment services
The TICQA project was originally initiated by the European Commission (DG III and DG XIII), in 1991, to provide an overview of "Testing, Inspection, Certification and Quality Assurance" (TICQA) services within the European Union (EU). The initial TICQA study was followed by an evaluation of the economic efficiency and competitiveness of TICQA services in the EU. On the basis of these two studies, it was decided to compile the TICQA database, and to extend it to the EFTA countries and the new EU Member States. The present TICQA database and information service was jointly developed by the European Commission (EC) and the European Organisation for Testing and Certification (EOTC), which acts as the coordinator and the focal point for the project. The main goal of the TICQA database is to establish an information service on European conformity assessment activities. The database contains information on testing, inspection, calibration and certification activities in Europe, with over 2,000 European conformity assessment operators (CAOs) currently registered. The potential users of this service are numerous: industry, vendors, public procurers and authorities, associations, decision makers, CAOs, universities and other research bodies. The TICQA service will be of benefit to the European market and is expected to open up new business opportunities for European providers of conformity assessment services to industry.