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General Questions About the CIG Scheme
General Questions About the CIG Scheme
The CIG Factory Inspection Scheme is an international framework that allows Certification Bodies to perform and mutually recognise factory inspections under a harmonised system.
It ensures that inspections are carried out consistently, efficiently, and according to agreed European and international requirements.
The CIG Scheme is owned and administered by ETICS (European Testing, Inspection and Certification System), an international non-profit organisation based in Belgium.
ETICS manages several certification schemes, including ENEC, ENEC+, CCA, CIG and HAR.
CIG inspections are performed worldwide.
CIG Members are present in over 20 countries, and approximately 800 registered inspectors operate globally across major industrial regions.
The CIG Scheme is built on a multilateral agreement currently shared by more than 26 European Certification Bodies.
The scheme was created to:
- Avoid duplicate inspections at the same factory
- Reduce unnecessary travel and administrative burden
- Ensure consistent inspection practices
- Enable mutual acceptance of inspection results
Type 5 certification, according to ISO/IEC 17067, is a high-level conformity assessment model that includes:
- Product testing
- Initial factory inspection
- Ongoing factory surveillance
- Market monitoring
It is commonly used for safety-critical products such as electrical equipment.
Questions from Manufacturers
Under the CIG Scheme, a single inspection can satisfy the needs of multiple Certification Bodies.
This means:
- Fewer inspection visits
- Lower disruption to production
- Reduced travel costs
- Simplified internal coordination
- Consistent audit criteria
Yes. Annual inspections are typically required under Type 5 certification schemes to ensure continued compliance.
However, CIG coordination reduces duplication when multiple Certification Bodies are involved.
Yes. Inspectors are locally based wherever possible and may issue bilingual reports when needed.
The CIG Inspection Report (OD CIG 423) is the standardized document used during:
- Initial (pre-licence) inspections
- Routine surveillance inspections
It documents factory processes, quality management, production control, safety testing, non-conformities, and follow-up actions.
One report is issued per factory visit.
A CIG Inspection Statement is an optional document issued by a CIG Member Body confirming that:
- A CIG inspection has been performed
- No major or critical findings remain open
It is valid for 12 months and must always be used together with the related CIG Inspection Report.
Non-conformities are documented in the Inspection Report.
Major or critical findings must be resolved before certain confirmations, such as a CIG Inspection Statement, can be issued.
Questions from Certification Bodies
CIG membership provides:
- Mutual acceptance of inspection activities
- Access to a global inspector network
- Immediate use of harmonised Operational Documents
- Reduced need for bilateral inspection agreements
- Lower operational costs
- Participation in expert committees and development
Yes.
When requested, a CIG Member Body may perform inspections on behalf of another Member. The inspection results are then shared through the standardized CIG process.
- The Requesting Member Body asks for an inspection to be performed.
- The Requested Member Body carries out the inspection.
Each Requesting Member Body may issue its own CIG Inspection Statement based on that inspection.
Yes.
All inspections under the CIG Scheme must follow the harmonised Permanent and Operational Documents. These documents are the intellectual property of ETICS and may only be used by authorised CIG Members.
Inspector qualification, training, and authorisation are harmonised across Members.
All registered inspectors operate according to the same documented requirements and procedures.
Governance and Compliance
All Operational Documents are the intellectual property of ETICS and may only be used within the CIG Scheme by authorised Members.
No.
Use by non-members is prohibited unless explicit written permission is granted by the ETICS Secretariat.
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