How to read a DoP, harmonised standard and notified-body certificate
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Short answer |
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Item |
Issued/prepared by |
What it communicates |
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CE marking |
Affixed by the manufacturer |
The applicable regulatory declaration and marking obligations have been addressed |
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Declaration of Performance |
Drawn up and signed by the manufacturer |
The performance declared for the product’s essential characteristics |
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Notified-body certificate |
Issued by the competent notified body under the applicable AVCP system |
The scope and result of the third-party assessment |
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Critical point |
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It indicates |
It does not prove on its own |
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The manufacturer assumes responsibility under the applicable EU rules. |
That the product is the highest-quality option on the market. |
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The required assessment route has been followed. |
That every variant in a commercial series is covered. |
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Required regulatory information and documents should exist. |
That the product is suitable for a specific design. |
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The product may be placed on the market within the applicable regime. |
That all panel and field devices are compatible. |
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2026 transition note |
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DoP field |
Check |
Red flag |
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Unique identifier |
Document version and cross-document match |
Missing number or date |
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Product type/model |
Exact match to label and order code |
Similar family name, different model |
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Intended use |
Match to the specified application |
Generic or missing wording |
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Manufacturer |
Legal entity and contact details |
Brand shown but responsible manufacturer unclear |
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Technical specification |
Correct hEN or assessment reference |
Wrong or incomplete standard part |
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AVCP / notified body |
System, body number and assigned task |
Number does not match the scope |
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Declared performance |
Class/value/NPD for essential characteristics |
Datasheet and DoP conflict |
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Signature/date |
Authorised person, place and date |
Unsigned or obsolete document |
NPD means “No Performance Determined”. It is not automatically non-compliance, but the characteristic may still be mandatory under the target-market or project specification.
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Check |
Question |
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Reference |
Does the exact EN part match the product function? |
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Edition/amendments |
Do the certificate and current reference use the correct version? |
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Scope |
Is the offered product and intended use covered? |
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Coexistence/transition |
Are there dates for old and new editions? |
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Regulatory annex |
Which characteristics and AVCP tasks apply? |
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Target market |
Do EU, GB or national requirements differ? |
EN 54-2 may apply to control and indicating equipment, EN 54-4 to power supplies and EN 54-7 to point smoke detectors. EN 54-25 may additionally apply to radio-linked components. Always verify the exact current product scope.
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Expected item |
Verification |
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Body name and four-digit ID |
Compare with the NANDO record. |
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Certificate number and type |
Confirm it corresponds to the applicable AVCP task. |
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Manufacturer and plant |
Verify legal entity and production-site scope. |
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Product/model scope |
Search the certificate annex for the offered code. |
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Technical specification |
Compare part, edition and amendments. |
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Issue/update status |
Confirm the current version and any suspension/withdrawal information. |
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Limitations |
Read exclusions, variants and characteristic-specific limits. |
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NANDO check |
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• ☐ Brand, model and type are legible on the product.
• ☐ CE information, DoP and certificate match each other.
• ☐ The DoP comes from an official source and has a clear revision.
• ☐ Intended use and EN 54 part match the actual function.
• ☐ Declared performance meets the project specification.
• ☐ The notified-body number and scope are verified in NANDO.
• ☐ The scope is verified by examining the certificate annex pages (Annex/Schedule) listing the approved product variants and relevant production plants.
• ☐ Panel-device compatibility is proven separately.
• ☐ Importer/distributor labels do not obscure manufacturer traceability.
• ☐ Documents meet the target market’s language and availability rules.
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Mistake |
Better approach |
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“We have a CE certificate.” |
Separate CE marking, DoP and third-party certificate. |
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“EN 54 certified.” |
State the exact part, model and body. |
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“The four-digit number proves validity.” |
Verify NANDO scope and current document status. |
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“One series certificate covers all variants.” |
Check the model list and annex. |
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“CE means it suits the project.” |
Verify design, environment, compatibility and local rules. |
No. CE is a marking showing the manufacturer’s regulatory declaration and responsibility; it is not the same as a third-party certificate.
The manufacturer draws up the Declaration of Performance and assumes responsibility for the declared performance.
The notified body’s role depends on the applicable rules and AVCP system; check the specific product.
Check the body and ID in NANDO, then verify the certificate number and scope through the body or manufacturer’s official channel.
No. Compatibility between panel, detectors, sounders and modules requires separate product and system evidence.
Not necessarily. Determine whether that characteristic is required by the project or target market.
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Conclusion |
TR