What is a Certificate of Conformance (COC)?
A certificate of conformance is documentation that certifies the material you receive meets a specific requirement. Also referred to as a certificate of compliance, these are sometimes shortened completely to just C of C. This documentation is requested for a variety of reasons and helps our customers keep track of their material while also being able to trace them back to the original source should they need to.
What is the difference between certificate of conformance and compliance?
A Certificate of Conformance certifies that a product or service meets specific standards or specifications, often related to quality or manufacturing processes. A Certificate of Compliance confirms that a product or service adheres to regulatory requirements or legal standards. The key difference is that conformance focuses on meeting internal or industry standards, while compliance is about meeting external regulatory or legal requirements.
What is required on a Certificate of Conformance?
A Certificate of Conformance should include clear identification of the product, a statement of conformity to specific requirements or standards, and relevant manufacturing or batch details. It must be signed by an authorized representative to validate authenticity and ensure traceability for quality and compliance verification.
Details included in a Certificate of Conformance
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Product name or description
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Part number or SKU
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Lot or batch number
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Applicable specifications or standards
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Date of manufacture or shipment
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Statement of conformance
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Authorized signature or approval
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Supplier or manufacturer details
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Reference to purchase order (if applicable)
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Any additional certifications included
Mil-spec Certification
Most frequently, we certify material as mil-spec. Mil-spec is short for military specification, and there are different call outs for various materials. The most common one for hook and loop products is AA55126 rev. C. Within this call out are certain types and classes that signify what the material is made of and what style of fastener to use. The mil-spec material that we stock is Type II, Class 1. As such, our customers will usually require documentation that says the material they receive meets the requirements for the call out, type and class.
Berry Compliance
Another type of documentation often requested alongside mil-spec certification is Berry compliance. A certificate of compliance for the Berry Amendment states that the material is manufactured and sourced from within the US. Our Type II, Class 1 mil-spec material is not Berry compliant, but all mil-spec material that we source from the Velcro Companies is Berry Amendment compliant.
Fire Retardant Burn Certificate
Another product that often requires documentation is our fire retardant hook and loop. This material receives a coating that allows it to burn slower. When requested, we provide the burn test report that shows the material meets FAA regulations for burn speed as well as a C of C indicating that the material provided is in fact fire retardant material that meets those requirements.
Manufacturer Certificate
We also get occasional requests that a certificate of conformance be provided showing that the material received is from a certain manufacturer.
Purchase Order Conformance
In addition to all of these reasons for certification, we also provide these certificates of compliance for customers with purchase order requirements. A customer may request that the assembly of their strap is done in a specific way or with certain material, or they may need their order otherwise converted or shipped or packaged according to instructions on their PO.
What is a material certificate?
A material certificate is a document that provides details about the composition, quality, and specifications of a material used in manufacturing or construction. It typically includes information such as chemical composition, mechanical properties, and compliance with relevant standards or specifications. This certificate is used to verify that the material meets the required criteria for a specific application or industry.
What is A C of C?
All C of Cs state that the material provided meets the requirement requested, but they also generally include details like the date of the order, the specific items ordered including part numbers, and the lot number which can be used to help source the material should there be any issues.
At HookandLoop.com, we don’t provide a certificate of conformance as a matter of course, but we are happy to provide one when requested. A physical copy is generally included in the shipment although we do also provide an emailed copy if you prefer to receive it digitally.
Where can I get a CoC certificate?
You can obtain a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) from the manufacturer, supplier, or service provider of the product or service. It is typically issued by the entity responsible for ensuring that the product or service meets the required specifications or standards. If you need a CoC for a specific product, you can request it directly from the manufacturer or supplier at the time of purchase. In some industries, third-party testing laboratories or certifying bodies may also issue CoCs after conducting the necessary inspections or tests.
How to Get a C of C from Hookandloop?
You can request a Certificate of Conformance from us anytime during or after your purchase by calling: 800-940-6934 or sending us an email at info@hookandloop.com.
Additional FAQs:
Q. What is the purpose of the Certificate of Conformance?
A. The purpose of a Certificate of Conformance is to verify that a product or service meets specified standards or requirements. It provides assurance of quality and consistency and serves as traceable documentation in case of future inspections or audits.
Q. What is an example of a CoC?
A. An example of a CoC could be a document that states a batch of hook and loop fasteners meets military specification AA55126 rev. C, including the type and class, signed and dated by the supplier.
Q. What is CoC in the USA?
A. In the USA, a Certificate of Conformance is commonly used across industries such as aerospace, defense, and manufacturing to confirm that delivered goods comply with contractual or regulatory standards.
Q. Who can make a Certificate of Conformity?
A. A Certificate of Conformity (or Conformance) is typically issued by the product manufacturer, supplier, or an authorized quality assurance representative responsible for verifying compliance with the required specifications.
Q. How can I get my CoC certificate online?
A. You can request a digital copy of a CoC via email from the manufacturer or supplier when placing or following up on an order. At HookandLoop.com, email your request to: info@hookandloop.com.
