Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the CouncilShow full title

3. Quality system

3.1. The manufacturer shall lodge an application for assessment of its quality system with the notified body of its choice, for the marine equipment concerned.

The application shall include:

• the name and address of the manufacturer and, if the application is lodged by the authorised representative, its name and address as well;

• a written declaration that the same application has not been lodged with any other notified body;

• all relevant information for the marine equipment category envisaged;

• the documentation concerning the quality system; and

• the technical documentation of the approved type and a copy of the EC type-examination certificate.

3.2. The quality system shall ensure compliance of the products with the type described in the EC type-examination certificate and with the applicable requirements of the international instruments.

All the elements, requirements and provisions adopted by the manufacturer shall be documented in a systematic and orderly manner in the form of written policies, procedures and instructions. The quality system documentation shall permit a consistent interpretation of the quality programmes, plans, manuals and records.

It shall, in particular, contain an adequate description of:

• the quality objectives and the organisational structure, responsibilities and powers of the management with regard to product quality;

• the examinations and tests that will be carried out after manufacture;

• the quality records, such as inspection reports and test data, calibration data, qualification reports on the personnel concerned, etc.;

• the means of monitoring the effective operation of the quality system.

3.3. The notified body shall assess the quality system to determine whether it satisfies the requirements referred to in point 3.2.

In addition to experience in quality management systems, the auditing team shall have at least one member with experience of evaluation in the relevant marine equipment field and marine equipment technology concerned, and knowledge of the applicable requirements of the international instruments. The audit shall include an assessment visit to the manufacturer’s premises. The auditing team shall review the technical documentation referred to in the fifth indent of point 3.1, in order to verify the manufacturer’s ability to identify the relevant requirements of the international instruments and to carry out the necessary examinations with a view to ensuring compliance of the product with those requirements.

The decision shall be notified to the manufacturer. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the audit and the reasoned assessment decision.

3.4. The manufacturer shall undertake to fulfil the obligations arising out of the quality system as approved and to maintain it so that it remains adequate and efficient.

3.5. The manufacturer shall keep the notified body that has approved the quality system informed of any intended change to the quality system.

The notified body shall evaluate any proposed changes and decide whether the modified quality system will continue to satisfy the requirements referred to in point 3.2 or whether a re-assessment is necessary.

It shall notify the manufacturer of its decision. The notification shall contain the conclusions of the examination and the reasoned assessment decision.