What is Certification

## What is certification?
**Third party certification (or approval) is a conformity assessment process, carried out by a body that is independent of both supplier and customer organisations. It provides confirmation that products and services have met and will continue to meet the requirements of specified standards and other normative documents.**

Independent third party certification provides a safeguard as to the performance of a product or service. 

LPCB third party product certification schemes are quality assurance schemes and comprise initial type testing and technical evaluation, assessment and surveillance of the manufacturer’s quality system and production procedures, regular audit testing, labelling and listing.

Similarly, LPCB schemes for suppliers of services (installers) are also quality assurance schemes comprising a technical assessment of a contractors capability, assessment and surveillance of the installers quality system and production procedures, regular inspection of completed installations and listing.

**Benefits of Third Party Certification**
A frequent concern of stakeholders is in knowing whether a product will perform in accordance with the stated specifications. These concerns can involve such product attributes as safety, health or environmental impacts, durability, compatibility, suitability for intended purposes or for stated conditions, and other similar considerations. These issues can all be addressed through product certification.  For specifiers and manufacturers the benefits of an LPCB certification are: 

**For specifiers:**
- Risk reduction – specifying LPCB products and services demonstrates due-diligence and best endeavour and mitigates against possible accusations of negligence.
- Avoidance of costly mistakes – you can trust LPCB listed products and services to conform each and every time.
- Time – using Red Book Live to search for and assess products and services can save you time.

**For manufacturers:**
- Increased global sales – LPCB certification is recognised and specified widely throughout the world. In some territories LPCB certification is a mandatory requirement.
- Added value of the product or service – LPCB listed products and services are recognised as providing added value given their ability to conform each and every time.
- Reduced liability – LPCB listed products and services demonstrate due-diligence which can reduce liability for both you and your customers. 

_The LPCB mark of approval is 'The Brand you can Trust'._

## The third party certification process
BRE Global offers independent third party certification to existing British, European, International and its own Loss Prevention Standards (LPSs) or Schedules of Requirements. On occasion, certification may be carried out to other nationally/internationally recognised standards where this is appropriate to a particular territory.

Loss Prevention Standards are essentially type 5 schemes, as described in ISO/IEC Guide 17067*, with the added requirement to have a quality management system certificated to ISO 9001 and appropriate surveillance audits i.e. Factory Production Control (FPC).

**Product certification schemes comprise:**
- Initial type testing and evaluation of product, sampled by LPCB
- Certification and surveillance of the manufacturer’s (supplier's) quality management system to ISO 9001
- Assessment and surveillance of the manufacturer’s (supplier's) factory production control system (FPC)
- Periodic audit testing of the product from either the factory or marketplace
- Labelling or marking as appropriate. 
- Listing of the certificated product (service) in the Red Book.  
**Installer certification schemes comprise:**
- Technical assessment of the installation contractor’s capability
- Certification and surveillance of the contractor’s quality management system to ISO 9001 or assessment against the requirements of the relevant Loss Prevention Standard where ISO 9001 is not appropriate.
- Regular surveillance inspections of on-going installations
- The issue of Certificates of Conformity to demonstrate compliance for each installation
- Listing of the certificated installer in the Red Book.

 *ISO/IEC 17067:2013, clause 5.3.7 states:

"The surveillance part of this scheme allows for the choice between periodically taking samples of the product either from the point of production, or from the market, or from both, and subjecting them to determination activities to check that items produced subsequent to the initial attestation fulfil the specified requirements. The surveillance includes periodic assessment of the production process, or audit of the management system, or both."

The third party certification process

## Our marks
**We certificate products and services by checking that they meet the required standards and that companies manage their processes properly. In turn, we are assessed by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for most of our certification processes. They make sure that we are doing our certification work correctly and, when they are satisfied, issue us with a certificate. Certificates issued under our UKAS accreditation will show the mark which includes the UKAS crown and tick.**

We believe that our marks stand for something special - they are true 'quality marks' and they are recognised across the world. We also offer something that no other UK based product Certification Body offers - transparency. We do this through our website www.RedBookLive.com. The listings are accessed by many thousands of specifiers across the world, via our website or via distribution at exhibitions, events and trade missions.

![LPCB_Sample_Mark (1).jpg](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/LPCB_Sample_Mark_1_dff8e50aab.jpg)
-Certification of Fire & Security Products and Services and Management Systems (where the client has an LPCB approved product or service).

![BRE_Tick_sample_mark.jpg](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/BRE_Tick_sample_mark_428c6fb41b.jpg)
-Certification of Management Systems

![BRE_Tick_sample_mark.jpg](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/BRE_Tick_sample_mark_428c6fb41b.jpg)
-Technical Approvals

It is not always possible to reproduce our mark on small products so you may also see "LPC" or "LPCB" on approved products.

For details of our UKAS accreditation please view the [UKAS website](https://www.ukas.com/).

Our marks

## Terms and conditions
[- BRE Group Terms of Use (website)](https://bregroup.com/)
[- BRE Group Cookies Policy](http://bregroup.com/cookies/)
[- BRE Group Privacy Policy](https://bregroup.com/privacy-policy/)
[- BRE Group Acceptable Use Policy](https://bregroup.com/acceptable-use-policy/)
[- PN 100 / XP107E - Compliments and Complaints](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/XP_107_E_10_6_Feedback_Compliments_and_Complaints_e4234abac3.pdf)
[- PN110 - The Product Certification Process](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/PN_110_The_Product_Certification_Process_Rev_4_0_3303cd9764.pdf)
[- PN 103 - Use of the LPCB mark](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/PN_103_Rules_and_Guidance_for_use_of_the_LPCB_Certification_Marks_1_24968e02af.pdf)
[- TC201B - Terms and Conditions](https://redbook-d2ffa9gxfhgneud9.z01.azurefd.net/media/assets/TC_0201_B_Rev_1_0_BREG_Schedule_B_certification_verification_listing_conformity_assessment_UKCA_marking_deea5000f7.pdf)

Terms and conditions

## Promoting your certification
To promote your certification to those that are responsible for the design, specification and purchase of your newly certificated product, please find following some suggestions in which to display your certification mark.

**Website**
On your website the LPCB/BRE Global mark can be used as a 'click' through to the Red Book Live website as a direct link to your page showing your product/service certification details.

**Stationery**
Certification marks may be used on letterheads, brochures and any publicity material that is directly related to the products, personnel or services that appear on the corresponding certificate.

**Media/Advertising**
Certification marks may be used on any publicity material that is directly related to the products, personnel or services that appear on the corresponding certificate.

**Presentations**
When meeting a client the certification mark applicable to your product or service can be used in your presentation to promote your certification to a potential client.

**Exhibition Panels**
Display your certification mark on exhibition materials, to promote your certification.

**Sales Literature/ Brochures**
Display your certification mark on your sales literature and brochures in order to highlight the approval of your product or service.

**How do I get a copy of the Certification Mark?**
If you are an LPCB listed company we will be delighted to supply you with an electronic copy of the relevant Certification mark. Please email lpcb@bre.co.uk.

Promoting your certification

## Counterfeiting and false claims
Unfortunately, forgeries are very common so always check that the certificate or mark is valid by checking the search facility on this website, by e-mailing lpcb@bre.co.uk or by phoning +44 (0)333 321 88 11.

Similarly, claims are often made that can mislead the user into believing a product, system or service has approval when in fact it does not. It is common to find phases printed on a product, packaging or marketing material such as _designed to ..._, _complies with..._, _meets LPS..._. Products may undergo testing, fail those tests and still be sold as tested to...

Confusion in the marketplace is also created by commercial organisations such as trade bodies creating new marks and listings which appear to be approvals but may not be. LPCB traces its origins to the 1880s and has retained and enhanced its reputation for independence by supporting its listings and marks and by ensuring that any problems with approved products and services are investigated and resolved.

Please see [Counterfeit notices and false claims of approval](https://sat-redbook-client.azurewebsites.net/news/counterfeit-notices-and-invalid-claims).

Counterfeiting and false claims

## Standards and Codes of Practice
Our Loss Prevention Standards (LPSs) are produced to help ensure that a product or service meets the needs of users or where a new unproven technology is introduced.

The requirements of LPCB schemes are given in LPCB Scheme Documents. These documents are drafted by BRE Global technical experts in conjunction with appropriate external experts.  They are then peer reviewed by representatives from trade bodies, regulators, insurers, specifiers, manufacturers and other suppliers.

Finally these documents are approved for use by the BRE Global Governing Body; the body that oversees all of the certification activities of BRE Global/LPCB.

These standards are always open to revision and suggestions for improvement are always welcomed.

Our Loss Prevention Standards can be downloaded free of charge. We also approve to International and British Standards but unfortunately due to copyright we are unable to provide a link for you.

For a full numerical list click here. For a list by product area click on the title below:
- Automatic Sprinkler, Water Spray and Deluge Systems
- Firebreak Doors and Shutters
- Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
- Fixed Fire Fighting Systems
- Installers
- Manual Fire Fighting Systems
- Passive Fire Protection Products and Systems
- Security Systems
- Smoke and Fire Ventilation Systems

The Loss Prevention Standards (LPS) are for information only and should not be used for any other purpose. Their use is subject to interpretation by our experts, and we take no responsibility for their use by others.

**Building Product Standards**
We also have a number of Building Product Standards (BPSs) which have been developed for products and systems where there were no directly applicable recognised standard.

**Environmental Standards**
BRE Global also offers approvals of products and services that can help to reduce their impact on the environment. These can be accessed free of charge at http://www.greenbooklive.com/

**NOTE**
Any distribution or use of any of the material in our standards may only be done with the written permission of BRE Global Ltd. Those wishing to use or reproduce this standard for any purpose should apply to enquiries@breglobal.com for training, assessment and a licence. A fee will normally be payable

Standards and Codes of practice

BRE Global Impartiality Committee test

The accreditation standards require certification bodies to have in place a structure that, amongst other things, ensures activities shall be undertaken impartially and structured and managed so as to safeguard impartiality. The Impartiality Committee helps us to fulfil this role and provides feedback to BRE Global through the wide knowledge and experience of the Impartiality Committee members.

The Impartiality Committee’s Terms of Reference are: (ISO 17020 Clause 4.1; ISO 17021-1 Clause 4.2; ISO 17024 Clause 4.3; ISO 17025 Clause 4.1; and ISO 17065 Clauses 4.2 & 5.2 refer) more [links to TOR]

The Impartiality Committee also peer reviews proposals for new or revised standards or schemes, and their content once produced. Members of the Impartiality Committee usually consist of experts from industry sectors and/or academia.

Impartiality

# Impartiality Committee
- AECOMMMM
- Association of Fire Protection
- British Security Industry Association
- Building Control
- CEEQUAL
- Construction Products Association
- Heathrow
- London Fire Brigade
- University College London
- University of West England

Impartiality Committee

# Terms of reference
The Impartiality Committee shall:
- provide feedback during the development of policies and schemes relating to impartiality of BRE Global activities;
- counteract any tendency on the part of BRE Global to allow commercial or other considerations to prevent the consistent delivery of services in an impartial manner;
- advise on matters affecting confidence in assurance, including openness and public perception; and
- conduct a review, at least once annually, of the impartiality of the audit, certification and decision-making processes of BRE Global.

by:
- having oversight of relevant processes and policies to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that BRE Global is:
     - acting independently and impartially [¹]
     - operating impartiality processes correctly;
     - treating customers fairly;- where appropriate, make suggestions for the improvement of policies, processes and procedures on matters related to impartiality.
- reviewing the results of internal and external audits, management reviews, complaints, appeals, certificate suspensions and withdrawals in order to ensure that procedures are administered in an impartial, timely and non-discriminatory manner;

¹ Impartiality is defined as the presence of objectivity, where: Objectivity is understood to mean that conflicts of interest do not exist, or are resolved so as not to adversely influence the activities of the body. Other terms that are useful in conveying the element of impartiality are independence, freedom from conflicts of interest, freedom from bias, freedom from prejudice, neutrality, fairness, open- mindedness, even-handedness, detachment and balance. 

Where the Impartiality Committee feels that there are significant impartiality issues that it has been unable to address through the normal processes of working with BRE Global then it has the right to escalate these issues through the BRE Group Risk and Audit Committee and where appropriate ultimately to take action independently of the BRE Group management (for example by informing the accreditation bodies).

Appeals will be managed by the BRE Risk and Internal Audit team according to the BRE Complaints and Appeals. Where necessary, an Appeals Committee will be formed including a Standing Chair and two independent members. The Appeals Committee may request representation from members of the Impartiality Committee where the appeal includes issues around impartiality.

Terms of reference

## About RedBook Test2
This is a test - The LPCB RedBook is a key reference for specifiers, regulators, designers and end users of fire and security products and services. Every product and service listed in the RedBook has been robustly checked by independent experts to ensure that it delivers and will continue to deliver the performance expected.

The schemes we operate are classified under the following headings:-
- Fire detection and alarm products and related installers
- Fire suppression products and related installers
- Fixed fire-fighting systems and related installers
- Passive fire protection products and related installers
- Cables
- Security protection systems
- Management systems
- Construction products

**Easy and instant access**
Instant access to the most up-to-date RedBook listings used to be a RedBook but is now more readily available than ever.

**International recognition**
LPCB listings are accepted throughout the UK and around the world, as shown in the map here. To further promote and manage our growing international presence, regional LPCB representatives have been appointed in the Middle East and India. 

**LPCB—BRE Global—BRE— BRE Trust: how they work together**
The RedBook is the LPCB list of Approved Fire & Security Products and Services. LPCB and is the approval brand that BRE Global operates for fire and security products and services. 

BRE Global and sister company BRE are part of the BRE Group which is owned by the BRE Trust. The Trust is a registered charity that works to advance knowledge, innovation and communication in the built environment. All profits made by the its subsidiary companies are used to fund new research and education programmes.

About RedBook

## Our history
Our history of providing independent third party certification for fire and security products dates back more than a century and brings together the stories of several organisations.

**Our origins**
Long before national building regulations, quality assurance or organised standards, fire insurers introduced the concept of third-party certification. The origins of such certifications and those under the LPCB brand are intertwined, as the following brief summary shows.

**_1860s_** — an association for insurers was set up called the Fire Offices’ Committee (FOC), to represent their loss prevention interests. 

**_1880s_** — FOC launched its approved product list, with installation ’rules’ being added a few years later. 

**_1935_** — The Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and the FOC, along with other interested parties, opened a central Fire Testing Station at Borehamwood in Hertfordshire.

**_1946_** — DSIR and the FOC established the Joint Fire Research and Testing Organisation to conduct research on all aspects of fire prevention and extinguishing. In 1949 the Borehamwood site was renamed the Fire Research Station.

**_1975_** — the Joint Fire Research and Testing Organisation was split into the government owned Fire Research Station, and the Fire Insurers Research and Testing Organisation (FIRTO). 

**_1984_** — FIRTO was combined with the FOC’s technical department, and the Insurers Technical Bureau to form the Loss Prevention Council (LPC) which later went on to develop a certification body called the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB). The FOC technical documents became Loss Prevention Council rules and standards, and the approval schemes became Loss Prevention Standards (LPS).

**BRE's story**
In 1921 a government-funded laboratory the Building Research Station (BRS) was formed, initially to investigate building materials and construction methods for new housing following World War I. Originally in Acton, BRS moved to Garston near Watford in 1925. BRE’s headquarters occupy this 72 acre site to this day.

In 1972, BRS was merged with the Forest Products Research Laboratory and the Fire Research Station (FRS) to form the Building Research Establishment (BRE) FRS didn’t physically move to BRE’s Watford site until 1994. In 1997 BRE was privatised.

**BRE Trust ensures independence**
To ensure that BRE remained a national resource after privatisation, and was never unduly influenced by any particular sector of the industry, the BRE Trust was set up to take ownership of the company. The Trust is a registered charity that includes a very wide range of representatives from industry and academia. All profits made by BRE and other members of the BRE Group are used to fund the Trust’s built environment research and education initiatives.

**BRE Global joined by LPCB to complete the story**
On privatisation BRE became independent of government ties and so was able to certify and approve products that it tested. A new company, BRE Certification was set up in 1999 to deliver these services separately from the consultancy activities of sister company BRE.

A year later, BRE Certification took over the Loss Prevention Certification Board (LPCB), reuniting the businesses that were separated in the 1970s. In 2006, with its services now recognised worldwide, BRE Certification was renamed BRE Global. Certification of fire and security products and services are now offered under the LPCB brand. Other aspects of environmental certification and rating, including BREEAM, were also brought under the BRE Global brand. 

Our history

## Applications for Management Systems
**To apply for Management Systems Certification:**
1. If the factory has not previously been assessed by LPCB, download and complete the Management Systems form. Please submit completed application forms to: fdetenquiries@bre.co.uk
2. Terms and conditions

Management Systems

## TESTING Applications for LPCB and EC Certification of Fire Detection Products test
**To apply for LPCB and/or EC certification, please complete the following:**
1. Download and complete the Master Form - this form covers general information, eg. name, address, product identities, etc.
- If you require certification to be crosslisted from one product to another, download and complete the Crosslists form to provide the necessary details.
- If you have several similar products for certification, download and complete the Product Similarities form. This will enable us to optimise our Test Schedule by combining some tests, and will reduce certification costs and time.
2. Download and complete the applicable device specific form(s) - these forms cover the main technical specifications for each device type.
3. If the factory has not previously been assessed by LPCB, download and complete the Management Systems form. Please submit completed application forms to: fdetenquiries@bre.co.uk
4. Terms and conditions

Fire Detection Products

thumbnail_Investigations and Expert witness.jpg

Investigations and Expert witness.jpg

Investigations and Expert witness

Non-certification services

## Non-certification services
BRE offers a range of non-certification services including:-
- [Advisory services](https://bregroup.com/services/insights-consultancy/advisory/)
- [CE Marking & European Directives](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=426) - BRE Global is the Notified Body 
- [Expert witness](https://bregroup.com/services/expert-witness/)
- [Fire investigations](https://bregroup.com/services/research/fire-research/)
- [Fire protection systems inspections](https://bregroup.com/expertise/fire/)
- [Fire safety engineering](https://bregroup.com/expertise/safety/fire-safety-engineering/)
- [Fire testing](https://bregroup.com/services/testing-certification-verification/fire-safety-testing/)
- [Research](https://bregroup.com/services/research/)
- [Testing (non-fire)](https://bregroup.com/services/testing-certification-verification/)
- [Training (BRE Academy)](https://bre.ac/)

## Investigations and Expert witness
We draw on internationally recognised fire, construction and built environment professionals to provide investigation, technical arbitration, technical dispute resolution and expert witness services.

[Find out more](https://bregroup.com/services/expert-witness/).

Products

## Products
We offer product certification schemes in the following areas:
- [Automatic sprinkler, water spray and deluge systems](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=431&searchgrouptypeid=4)[Fire detection and alarms](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=494&searchgrouptypeid=2)
- [Fire rated cables](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=494&searchgrouptypeid=2)
- [Fixed fire fighting](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=147&searchgrouptypeid=3)
- [Manual fire extinguishing equipment](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=498&searchgrouptypeid=15)
- [Passive fire protection](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=133&searchgrouptypeid=1)
- [Security protection products](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=193&searchgrouptypeid=5)
- [Watermist systems](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=764&searchgrouptypeid=18)
- [Construction products](https://www.redbooklive.com/search/search.jsp?id=179&searchgrouptypeid=10)

SABRE

## SABRE
SABRE is a security assessment and certification scheme for buildings and built infrastructure assets.

It is a first-of-its-kind, offering:
- an independently assessed security risk management rating for a facility (SABRE Assurance Rating)
- the ability to measure and evaluate the security performance of a facility against a range of credible threats and compare that performance against that of the wider sector.

The scheme recognises and rewards good practice and inspires owners, occupiers and operators to measure their performance so they can make informed investment decisions, communicate their security credentials to interested parties and benefit from greater transparency.

The SABRE framework and risk based assessment methodology ensures flexibility in approach, recognising all solutions that offer effective security and raising awareness that there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution. This approach avoids a checklist mentality to security assessment that will inevitably stifle innovation and may lead to incomplete and ineffective security.

As has been the case with BREEAM, BRE Global’s sustainability certification scheme, we anticipate SABRE certification providing a broad range of benefits to users, including improved attractiveness and value of certificated built assets.

The SABRE scheme is jointly operated by The Security Institute and BRE Group.

Installers, Service and Maintenance

## Installers, Service and Maintenance
Selecting approved products is only half the story as the performance of a product can be severely undermined by poor installation or maintenance.

We strongly recommend you use installers and service and maintenance companies that are approved by LPCB.

We have the following schemes in place to help:
- LPS 1014 - Requirements for certificated fire detection and alarm system firms
- LPS 1048 - Requirements for the approval of sprinkler system contractors in the UK and Eire
- LPS 1148 - Requirements for contractors engaged in the design, installation, commissioning and servicing of automatic sprinkler systems
- LPS 1197 - Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies inspecting, repairing and maintaining fire and security doors, doorsets, shutters and active smoke/fire barriers
- LPS 1204 - Requirements for firms engaged in the design, installation and commissioning and servicing of gas extinguishing systems
- LPS 1271 - Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies installing fire and security doors, doorsets, shutters and active smoke/fire barriers
- LPS 1301 - Requirements for the approval of sprinkler installers in the UK and Ireland for residential and domestic sprinkler systems
- LPS 1500 - Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies installing construction elements used to provide fire compartmentation in buildings
- LPS 1531 - Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies installing or applying passive fire protection products
- LPS 2084 - Requirements for the LPCB approval and listing of companies carrying out inspection, cleaning and maintenance of ductwork systems

## Management Systems
To manufacture goods of a consistent and acceptable quality, adequate control of business systems is vital. To achieve this level of control, written procedures help ensure that tasks are performed correctly and consistently every time. Some of the first organisations to implement this kind of control were the companies that supplied the military forces.

We offer certification to:
- ISO 9001 - Quality management system
- ISO 14001 - Environmental management system
- ISO 45001 - Health & safety management

and we are able to offer an integrated service to companies wanting approval under two or more of these standards.