What is a CAB?
A Conformity Assessment Body (CAB) is an independent organization responsible for evaluating whether a system conforms to a defined technical standard or specification.
Key Characteristics of CABs
- Independence: CABs operate independently from the standards body that defines the specification
- Technical Competence: CABs possess the expertise to evaluate conformity against technical requirements
- Impartiality: CABs maintain objectivity in their assessments without conflicts of interest
This approach aligns with ISO/IEC 17000 series principles for conformity assessment.
Role Separation: VSO vs CAB
The VC-Certified certification scheme maintains a clear separation between standard-setting and certification activities, following the governance model established by international standardization bodies such as ISO and IEC.
VeritasChain Standards Organization
(VSO)
Scheme Owner & Standards Body
- Development and maintenance of standards (VCP / VAP)
- Governance of the VC-Certified certification scheme
- Accreditation of Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs)
- Management of conformity requirements and rulebooks
VSO does NOT issue certifications
Conformity Assessment Bodies
(CABs)
Certification Issuers
- Technical conformity assessment and evaluation
- Issuance and maintenance of VC-Certified certifications
- Corrective action requests and certification suspension for non-conformities
- Implementation review and technical audits
CABs are the certification issuers
Certification Governance Structure
VSO
Standards & Governance
CAB
Assessment & Certification
System
Applicant Organization
Why VSO Does Not Certify Directly
Important Governance Principle
VeritasChain Standards Organization (VSO) does not issue VC-Certified certifications directly.
This separation between standard-setting and certification is a fundamental governance principle adopted by international standardization bodies worldwide. The rationale includes:
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
Separating standards development from certification ensures that commercial interests do not influence the technical requirements of the specification.
International Standards Model
This governance structure aligns with the ISO/IEC model, where international standards bodies define specifications while separate accredited bodies perform conformity assessments.
Enhanced Credibility
Independent assessment by accredited CABs provides greater assurance to stakeholders, including regulators, auditors, and the market.
Scalable Ecosystem
Multiple accredited CABs can serve the market, increasing accessibility and providing options for organizations seeking certification.
Accredited CABs
The following organizations are currently accredited as Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) under the VC-Certified scheme:
VeritasChain Inc.
Accredited CAB
VeritasChain Inc. serves as an initial accredited CAB for the VC-Certified scheme, providing conformity assessment services during the program's early adoption phase.
Expansion: VSO welcomes inquiries from qualified organizations interested in becoming accredited CABs. The accreditation program is designed to support multiple CABs as the ecosystem grows.
Governance & Oversight
All accredited CABs operate under the governance framework established by VSO, ensuring consistent and reliable certification outcomes across the ecosystem.
Rulebook Compliance
CABs must adhere to the VSO certification rulebook, which defines assessment procedures, documentation requirements, and decision criteria.
Periodic Review
VSO conducts regular reviews of CAB activities to ensure ongoing compliance with accreditation requirements and certification standards.
Corrective Measures
In cases of scheme violations or non-conformities, VSO may require corrective actions or, in serious cases, suspend or revoke a CAB's accreditation.
Related Pages
Disclaimer
VSO governs the VC-Certified certification scheme but does not perform conformity assessments or issue certifications directly.
All VC-Certified certifications are issued by VSO-accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) following standardized technical audit procedures defined in the VSO certification rulebook.
VC-Certified certifies only technical compliance with the VeritasChain Protocol (VCP). It does not evaluate or guarantee an organization's financial condition, solvency, business practices, or regulatory status.