In Finland, the regulatory authorities responsible for consumer safety ban around 100 products annually and order the recall of another 50. Product recalls and sales bans are expensive, not only in terms of monetary costs, but also in damage to your business’s reputation.
The manufacturer, importer and retailer are responsible for products’ safety and regulatory compliance. To address this, FI certification provides a practical and cost-efficient way to ensure conformity, and the FI mark awarded to qualifying products is an internationally recognized safety mark.
Accreditation
SGS Fimko Oy’s laboratories are widely accredited by FINAS (view our accreditation scope on finas.fi) to provide the qualified testing required for FI certification.
| SGS Fimko Oy's testing laboratory is a testing laboratory T004 accredited by the FINAS accreditation service, accreditation requirement SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2017 | SGS Fimko Oy is a certification body accredited by the FINAS accreditation service, S003, accreditation requirement SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17065:2012 |
|---|
How does FI certification work?
FI certification is a voluntary product certification scheme that allows manufacturers, importers and sellers to demonstrate product safety and compliance with applicable standards. Certification can be granted to products that meet current safety requirements in Finland or the EU, especially electrical equipment.
The manufacture of FI-marked products is monitored through annual audits and random tests of products on the market. The FI certification system is part of the international CB certification system. This means that based on the testing leading to FI certification, you can also apply for other national certifications and vice versa. If you have a valid CB certification, the FI mark can also be granted to the product based on it, as long as the local specific requirements are taken into account.
The FI mark is a registered and respected symbol of impartial product quality and safety. It may only be used on products with a valid FI certificate issued by SGS Fimko. Certificates are valid for up to five years and require annual maintenance and ongoing production quality control.
FI certification is valid for five years provided that:
- No changes are made to the product or its components
- Production is audited annually
There are two approved versions of the FI mark:
Certified products are listed in a public register available at Certified Components & Products.
What are the benefits of FI certification?
- Compliance: certification shows that a product meets the requirements set for it. FI certification shows that the product is also safe to be used in Finnish conditions
- Quality control: the FI certification production audit ensures that the quality of the product matches the tested product and remains consistent over time
- Customer satisfaction: an FI-certified product is safe and of high quality. Certification increases customer confidence in your product, which has a positive impact on customer satisfaction and brand loyalty
- Reduced returns/recalls: certification reduces customer returns and market recalls
- Marketing advantage: an FI mark, given to certified products, differentiates your products from competitors’ and increases its appeal to buyers/consumers
- Remove barriers to trade: FI certification, part of the international IECEE CB certification* system, facilitates access to markets, both in Finland and internationally
- Risk management: the FI certification product audit helps to detect potential problems or deficiencies at an early stage, so they can be addressed in a timely manner and provide data to improve the manufacturing process. A high-quality, proven safe product will not cause harm to its user
* IECEE CB certification is harmonized across international borders. If your product is IECEE CB certified it can be granted the FI mark, as long as local specific requirements are taken into account. This also works the other way around – based on the assessment and testing carried out for valid FI certification, you can apply for certification to other market-specific schemes. SGS Fimko is FINAS-accredited product certification body S003. Accredited product certificates are recognized in many countries meaning that FI certification also opens doors in global markets.