Commonly used in the EU.
At its simplest, conformity assessment means checking that products, materials, services, systems or people measure up to the specifications of a relevant standard.
http://www.iso.org/iso/home/faqs/faqs_conformity_assessment_...

This European Standard contains the conditions for the evaluation of conformity of any single product to the standard. However, in order to make an assessment of conformity of a full range of products coming off a production line, more elements may be needed such as a factory production control system or quality system, a type-testing scheme, a qualification scheme and/or a certification scheme. These systems are independent from the strict evaluation of conformity of a single product, and may be required either by legislation or regulations, or by contractual agreements.

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Note added at 4 hrs (2012-09-17 07:13:15 GMT)
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Coordinates metrological support and assessment (evaluation) of conformity of nanotechnologies and nanoindustry products with Russian and international standards.