Lift Module B+D Certification

Module B+D is the conformity assessment route that combines the EU type-examination of a model lift with production quality assurance.

• Module B: technical design and type-examination of the model lift under Annex IV, Part B,
• Module D: production quality assurance under Annex XII, covering manufacture, assembly, installation, final inspection and testing.

The notified body assesses and monitors the installer’s production quality system. The company, in turn, systematically ensures that the lifts it places on the market conform to the approved type and to the essential health and safety requirements of the directive.

What Does Module D Cover?

The Annex XII quality system covers the following stages:

• manufacturing and supply control,
• assembly,
• installation,
• final inspection,
• testing,
• management of the related records and nonconformities.

This scope is the key difference from Module E. Module E focuses on final inspection and testing, while Module D also brings the production and installation chain under quality assurance.

Who Is Module B+D Suitable For?

B+D can be considered especially for companies that:

• work regularly with approved model lift families,
• manage processes centrally from manufacture and supply to installation,
• monitor their installation teams with defined procedures and inspection plans,
• can establish traceability of materials and safety components,
• can link final inspection and test records to production records.

The company is expected to have a strong record-keeping and control structure not only at final inspection, but also at the earlier stages of installation.

Key Elements of the Production Quality System

The system is prepared according to the company’s organisation. Common elements include:

• quality objectives, duties and authorities,
• type certificate and scope control,
• technical drawing, project and revision management,
• supplier selection and incoming inspection,
• traceability of critical parts and safety components,
• manufacturing and assembly instructions,
• installation plans and in-process checks,
• on-site inspection points and acceptance criteria,
• final inspection and test plan,
• personnel competence,
• management of measuring equipment,
• nonconformity and corrective action,
• internal audit, management review and record control,
• control of the declaration of conformity and CE marking.

The documentation must be clear enough to ensure the same level of safety even across different site teams.

Module B+D Application File

The application generally includes:

• company and facility information,
• the lifts to be covered,
• production quality system documentation,
• the Module B technical file and type-examination certificate,
• production and installation workflows,
• sample project and lift records,
• inspection and test instructions,
• personnel and equipment records,
• a declaration that the same application has not been lodged with another notified body.

The notified body assesses whether the system is capable of producing lifts that conform to the approved type.

Module B+D Audit Process

1. Scope and gap analysis

The type certificate, the production and installation workflow and the quality system are compared. In particular, it is clarified how activities carried out by subcontractors or different site teams are controlled.

2. Documentation and sample records

Procedures, work instructions and forms are prepared; implementation records are created on a real or representative installation.

3. Notified body audit

The body assesses the quality system, technical competence and evidence of implementation. Where necessary, it carries out an inspection at the production or installation site.

4. Closing nonconformities

Findings are closed with root cause analysis, correction and sustainable corrective action. The conformity decision is made by the notified body.

5. Surveillance

After certification, the system remains under surveillance. The company must inform the notified body of significant changes affecting the quality system, the type scope or product conformity.

B+D Compared with B+E

Topic	B+D	B+E
Basis	Annex IV-B + Annex XII	Annex IV-B + Annex X
Quality system	Manufacture, assembly, installation, final inspection, testing	Final inspection and testing
Approved type required	Yes	Yes
Surveillance	Yes	Yes
Process depth	The whole production and installation chain	The final inspection stage

The choice should not be based on certification cost alone. The company’s actual area of control, organisation and ability to produce records are decisive.

B+D Compared with H1

Module H1 also brings design under the full quality system and includes design examination where required. B+D, on the other hand, is based on production and installation quality assurance in line with a previously approved model lift.

H1 suits companies with a high variety of designs; B+D suits companies that work with specific model families and have strong control over production and installation.

Type Scope and Changes

A B+D system does not automatically cover a lift outside the Module B scope. For critical changes to the design, parameters or safety components:

1. the type certificate is checked,
2. the impact of the change is recorded,
3. the notified body is informed where necessary,
4. a supplement to the type certificate, a new type application or another conformity route is considered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an ISO 9001 certificate replace B+D?

No. ISO 9001 can provide a general quality system foundation; B+D, however, includes the lift-specific production and installation requirements of Annex XII to Directive 2014/33/EU and surveillance by a notified body.

Can installation be subcontracted?

Outsourcing does not remove responsibility. The company must manage its outsourced processes, competence, instructions, inspections and records within the approved quality system.

Is a B+D certificate issued separately for each lift?

The quality system operates at the level of the company and its approved scope. However, each lift’s conformity to the approved type, its technical file, production and installation records and declaration of conformity are kept separately.