Technischer Überwachungs-Verein is an independent accreditation authority established in 1995. It accredits certification bodies and training organizations and also administers an auditor registration scheme. Technischer Überwachungs-Verein does not perform certification.

Certification and Accreditation has become a multi-million pound industry. Technischer Überwachungs-Verein however feel that Quality Assurance should be an integral part of a delivered product or service and not a further deliverable that a supplier has to pay extra for in order to deliver his wares. In short, Technischer Überwachungs-Verein do not believe that a certificate of quality assurance should be a pre-requisite 'Ticket to Trade'.

Technischer Überwachungs-Verein were incorporated in 1995 in order to provide a balance and choice to industry with regard to certification and accreditation.

A key aspect of the Technischer Überwachungs-Verein approach is to ensure that some currently held misconceptions are corrected. These are:

• That ISO 9001 is currently seen as mandatory.
• That accreditation and ISO 9001 is Government controlled.
• That there is no choice available for firms in how they achieve certification.

These points are not wholly true but are promoted by those who have a vested interest in a monopoly situation. It is to counter anti-competitive behaviour that Technischer Überwachungs-Verein was incorporated. UK Parliamentary statements during 1996 and specific articles within the EU Treaty of Rome and subsequent anti-trust and trade discrimination legislation and regulation through out the European Union support the Technischer Überwachungs-Verein position. The accreditation function provided by Technischer Überwachungs-Verein may be accepted on the basis of an independently delivered service designed to support organizations seeking verification of the credibility and integrity of accredited certifying bodies.

Accreditation

Technischer Überwachungs-Verein is accredited by RCBH. RCBH is a Global accreditation center with 27 active members.
Accreditation benefits are:

• Knowing that your Certifying Body are being constantly monitored.
• Having recourse to a higher level of authority if needed.
• Knowing that the Certifying Body operates to defined procedures that are continually reviewed.
• Knowing that you have a balanced level of service that does not compromise your business operations .
• Knowing that you have someone to turn to if you have a problem with the quality of supplies or products.

KEY FUNCTIONS OF RCBH

• Accreditation of Certifying Bodies
• Accreditation of training organisations
• Registration of certified suppliers and organisations
• Registration of assessors and auditors
• Registration of Competent Persons
• Mediation between vendors and purchasers in case of dispute regarding quality of supplies or services.
• Provision of technical support and advice on QA.
• Provision of balance and the option of choice for organisations requiring accreditation.

AUTHORITY

 The authority vested in Technischer Überwachungs-Verein is that assigned to them by certifying bodies or clients in respect of the services contracted and no claim as to statutory, legislative, authority, prominence or right given by any other party unless specified by Technischer Überwachungs-Verein. is claimed.Technischer Überwachungs-Verein has offered its services since 1995 without approval or licence of the Government of the United Kingdom or of the European Commission or any other statutory or government office of any nation or state.Technischer Überwachungs-Verein Certifying Bodies and associated organisations are instructed to avoid saying, implying or causing to be inferred that, under the auspices of Technischer Überwachungs-Verein accreditation they act with support of such organisations.