Notified Body (NB)
A Notified Body is an independent organization designated by an EU Member State and notified to the European Commission to carry out conformity assessment tasks under specific EU directives and regulations. Notified Bodies are involved when third-party intervention is required for assessing product compliance before it is placed on the EU market.
Role and Application
Notified Bodies are relevant for directives such as:
Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and others
Depending on the product and applicable conformity assessment module (e.g., Module B, C, F), a Notified Body may:
Review technical documentation
Perform type examinations or audits
Issue EU-type examination certificates
Conduct surveillance or production quality assessments
Notified Bodies are identified by a unique four-digit number, which must be included in the CE marking when required.
Need support with EU compliance involving a Notified Body? Learn more about CE approval pathways and expert coordination on our
EU CE conformity services and our overview of Notified Body support.
Distinction from TCBs
Unlike Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs), which operate under FCC rules in the United States, Notified Bodies act under EU law. Both perform conformity assessments, but their authority is region-specific and based on different legal frameworks.