1. Purpose of the gate
Certification turns validation evidence into market access. Each target market sets its own rules for electromagnetic compatibility, electrical safety, radio, environmental and other requirements, and in many cases requires testing at an accredited laboratory. This gate checks that the formal tests have been passed and the test reports are complete, before certificates and declarations are issued.
It also checks something easily missed: that the product tested is the product that will be released. A certificate applies to a defined configuration. If the boards, enclosure, parts, firmware or radio settings differ between the tested units and the released product, the certificate may not cover what ships. The review confirms the match and records it.
The criteria are: formal tests for each target market passed; test reports complete and reviewed; and the product as tested matching the configuration to be released. The gating work product is the set of certification test reports at final maturity, produced by certification and compliance from the certification test plan, the DVT prototypes and the material and marking declarations. Beside them, the enclosure team issues the material and marking declarations, final; the pre-compliance test results come from Design validation complete.
11 more sections for registered members.