“CABs and NABs should continue to carry out their tasks to the extent that this is currently possible in view of the confinement measures taken at Member States level. They are encouraged to perform remote assessment techniques, including document reviews, as far as possible to substitute or complement on-site assessments. However, remote or virtual assessments will not always provide a substitute to on-site visits which are required by notified bodies under specific modules. When faced with such situations, CABs and NABs are required to act responsibly, to analyse the risk of providing services with deviations from the requirements and not to provide them if such deviations jeopardize the technical validity of that specific activity. CABs and NABs should also act with full transparency, informing affected clients of any change in the procedures and keeping records justifying the decisions taken.
These arrangements should however not put at risk the health and safety of products in the EU and the role that CABs and NABs play in conformity assessment. Notified Bodies are requested to inform the relevant authorities of any relevant issues relating to possible non-conformity of products, including where this may be relevant due to the need to postpone specific on-site visits in the context of the conformity assessment activities.”
