COP
As ITAC, we specialize in providing Conformity of Production (COP) services to ensure that automotive manufacturers consistently meet regulatory standards. COP is a critical process that verifies whether the production line of a vehicle or component continuously meets the specified requirements set during the type approval process. Our expert team conducts thorough inspections and tests to guarantee that every unit produced adheres to the approved specifications, ensuring quality and compliance throughout the production lifecycle.
Our COP services include a comprehensive range of activities such as regular audits, sampling, and testing of production units, and detailed reporting. By partnering with ITAC, manufacturers can confidently maintain their production standards, avoid costly recalls, and ensure that their products meet the necessary regulatory requirements. Our dedication to excellence and attention to detail in COP services help our clients uphold their brand reputation and ensure customer satisfaction.
Conformity of Production (CoP) ensures products match with approved types. Each roles are defined in EU Framework Regulations. Manufacturers ensure CoP, Technical Services conduct the test and Member State Approval Authorities oversee Type Approval (TA). CoP involves Initial Assessment and Renewal, requiring audits and compliance with ISO 9001/IATF 16949. CoP documents must meet legislation, define tests, and include pass/fail criteria. Responsibilities for manufacturers include maintaining CoP arrangements, notifying Technical Service of changes, and adhering to regulations. Changes requiring notification include product, administrative, and legislative alterations.
Conformity of Production (CoP) is a process to follow up the products are typically same as the type approved product. There are roles and responsibilities that defined by framework Regulations (EU) 2018/858 (Vehicles / Components / STUs), (EU) 167/2013 (Agricultural and forestry Vehicles / Components / STUs), (EU) 168/2013 (motorcycles / Components / STUs) and (EU) 2016/1628 NRMM (Non-road Mobile Machinery) and E/ECE/TRANS/505Rev.3 (1958 Agreement Revision 3). For the manufacturers that want to have European Type Approval certificate first needs to have Conformity of Production (CoP) Clearance. Type approval process starts with CoP Clearance.
Manufacturer, is responsible for the Approval authority for all aspects of the TA process & ensuring CoP.
Technical Service, Organization or Body that has been appointed as testing laboratory to carry out test inspections, draw up reports on behalf of the Approval Authority of a Member State.
Approval Authority of a Member State, is responsible for all aspects of TA (issue, withdraw, contact with authorities of the member states, designate TS, verify manufacturers’ CoP)
There are two main types for CoP, one is Initial Assessment, and the other is CoP Renewal. Both require audit. And at least manufacturers must supply WMI codes, company registrations.
CoP Initial Assessment
The manufacturer must have Quality Management System according to ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 that covers the processes s. If this system is ensured with a certificate for Initial Assessment of CoP can be done with documentation audit. In case manufacturer doesn’t have any certificate, this requires an on-site audit. In both the validity will be for a year. The manufacturer is responsible for organizing the CoP Control Plan and Forms regarding the legislation that will be covered and must have Risk Assessment. In case any CoP Clearance before, then it must be also supplied. Approval holder is also a manufacturer, and an approval holder can have more than one assembly plants. In this case Manufacturers must supply the assembly plant statements. In this statement roles must be well defined.
CoP Renewal
This process requires on-site audit on manufacturer’s / Approval Holder’s all assembly plants that stated in Type Approvals. On these audits we as a Technical Service check your CoP control plan and forms and relevant procedures / documentation in your Quality Management System. These plan and forms must show all the conformity checks. Also manufacturers has to supply the assembly plant statements (in case manufacturer and approval holders are different).
CoP Control Plan and Forms of Manufacturers
- Must be owned and controlled by approval holder
- Must refer to legislations
- Must include frequency of controls and sample size
- Must define the tests, checks including marking / labeling
- Test conductors must be defined
- Must include pass / fail criteria
- Must have relation with the type approval
Responsibilities for Manufacturer / Approval Holder
- CoP arrangements
- CoP control plan and forms
- Inform Technical Service in case any changes on both themselves as an approval holder and products.
When to inform Technical Service?
- Changes on type approved product (design, production discontinuation, scope changes)
- Administrative changes (address, assembly plant, EU representative (for non-EU manufacturers) changes)
- Legislation changes (New legislations to add to scope)
At ITAC, our Conformity of Production (COP) services ensure that our clients’ products continuously meet approved design and quality standards. This involves an ongoing inspection process to guarantee that the manufacturing process adheres to specific standards and regulations, ensuring consistent product quality.
Our COP services at ITAC play a crucial role in ensuring consumer safety and satisfaction. Additionally, they guarantee compliance with legal regulations and ensure that our clients’ products consistently meet specific quality and safety standards. This helps protect the brand’s reputation and prevent potential recalls or legal issues.
ITAC’s COP process involves regular inspections of our clients’ manufacturing facilities and products. These inspections check whether the products comply with design approvals and quality standards. We also assess the consistency and effectiveness of the manufacturing processes. This process involves both internal audits and independent third-party inspections.
At ITAC, we provide COP services that comply with the requirements in the automotive sector. In the European Union, COP requirements for vehicle manufacturers are defined by ECE regulations and EU directives. We ensure that our clients’ products meet these safety, environmental, and performance standards.