Certification to TYPE
The certification to type is concerned with the devices delivered by the manufacturer or his authorized representative. It is strictly related to those devices which need to obtain a type-approval certificate for its first specimen in accordance with art. 22f par. 1 of the Rail Transport Act.
Before obtaining the Type Approval for Exploitation Certificate, each device type has to be subjected to technical testing in accordance with clause 1923.
Technical tests are carried out by the authorized unit which status is referenced in art. 22g par. 9 of the Rail Transport Act.
Signal Cert Certifying Body performs certification of devices in accordance with the certification program JCPR-01. The program of certification of railway traffic control devices for type conformity evaluation, in which the following steps are taken:
Step 1 – laboratory tests
Signal Cert Certifying Body, as an authorized unit to perform technical tests necessary to obtain type conformity certificates, conducts technical tests appropriate to the type of device based on proper testing procedures and standardization documents.
After conducting technical tests and on the basis of the delivered to the device documentation, excluding the tests to be carried out during operational tests, our body performs the evaluation of the product's compliance with the requirements contained in the certification program.
As part of the completion of the compliance evaluation phase, the authorized employee of the Signal Cert Certifying Authority prepares a technical opinion covering the evaluation of compliance with the requirements specified in the technical specifications and standardization documents appropriate for the device type.
If a device that has been certified meets the requirements assigned to it in the appropriate technical specifications and normative documents, the device is granted the the conformity type certificate and other certification documents are issued.
The conformity type certificate issued may have a specified validity period and contain additional conditions that should be met during operational tests.
After receiving a type approval certificate for temporary use for a definite period of time from the UTK, the entity for which the certificate was issued carries out operational tests.
Step 2 - field tests (operational tests)
The tests are carried out in conditions identical or similar to the conditions of normal operation during normal use, after concluding an agreement of the entities involved in the performance tests.
Operational tests are carried out in accordance with the operational testing program developed by our body. Before starting the tests, our company evaluates the conformity of the samples submitted to the tests and checks the correctness of assembly, as well as supervises the performance of functional tests.
During operational tests, the certifying body performs periodic checks (specified in the operational tests program).
After conducting operational tests, the user who operated the device during their trial tests draws up an operational opinion in which this entity evaluates the basic parameters of the device, observed performance characteristics and evaluation of the suitability for use of the tested type of device.
On this basis, after completing the tests, our unit prepares a technical opinion covering the entire process of placing into service. Then, in accordance with the certification process, conformity evaluation, review and decision taking are carried out.
Obtaining a positive decision from the certification process performed by the Signal Cert Certifying Body results in the type conformity certificate, necessary to apply for the certificate of release for exploitation for an indefinite period to the UTK.