Technical Safety and Occupational Safety

The technical safety and occupational safety sector ensures that products, installations and working environments function reliably, in compliance with the law and free from risk. Accreditation ensures that testing, inspections and certifications are carried out independently, competently and in accordance with applicable standards – creating safety, trust and protection for the public, businesses and public authorities.

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Overview

The technical safety and occupational safety sector covers all activities that ensure the safe functioning of technical installations, industrial machinery, electrical equipment, software and consumer products. This includes lifts, cable cars, production facilities, railway components, machinery, and electronic products such as smartphones, toys, software and household appliances.

Occupational safety is equally important: businesses are required to identify, assess and minimise risks to their employees.

Modern safety concepts encompass technical, health-related, psychological, social and organisational aspects, ensuring that products and working environments meet statutory requirements – both Swiss and European – and protectng people, the environment and physical assets.

Role of accreditation

Accredited testing laboratories and inspection bodies test products and installations for compliance with regulations and technical standards, examine protective devices and monitor safety-critical processes. In occupational safety, accreditation supports businesses in implementing effective prevention and protection systems, ensuring that safety standards are met, risks are systematically recorded and improvements are demonstrably achieved.

Accreditation in this sector ensures that inspections, tests and certifications of installations and processes are carried out independently, objectively and by qualified experts. It builds trust and provides the basis for placing products and installations on the market and operating them safely, while facilitating international trade by eliminating technical barriers.

Importance for the public, businesses and public authorities

For the public, this instils confidence that products and systems function reliably, meet all applicable requirements, can be operated without risk and that workplaces are healthy and safe.

Businesses benefit from reduced risk of accidents, more stable processes and greater efficiency. For public authorities and insurers, accredited assessments provide a reliable basis for risk evaluation and monitoring. Together, these strengthen public safety, consumer protection and trust in technology, services and infrastructure.

Types of accreditation offered