What Should Be Included in a Certificate of Conformity?

Purpose • Traceability • Accountability

A CoC declares that the identified PCB shipment was manufactured, inspected and released against the controlled purchase order, drawing and specifications.

WHAT was supplied?

• Part number
• Revision
• Quantity
• Description

TO WHAT requirements?

• PO
• Drawing
• Specifications
• Class and addenda

FROM WHICH production?

• Lot
• Work order
• Date code
• Panel/coupon links

WHO released it?

• Authorised name
• Approval
• Date

Certificate of Conformity — sample certificate artwork at the centre of the sheet

Field	Value
CoC no.:	COC-25-04789
Customer	ABC Electronics Ltd.
Supplier	Novatronic PCB
Part number	NT-1478-10L
Revision	B
Description	10 Layer High Density PCB
Quantity	100 Panels
Compliance	The items listed above were manufactured, inspected and tested in accordance with the following controlled requirements.
Purchase order	PO-784512
Drawing	Drw-1478 rev b
Specifications	Nt spec-001 rev h
Class	Class 3
Addenda	Addendum 1, 2
Production information	—
Lot number	L25-1478-067
Work order	WO-563210
Date code	2025-05-12
Panel / coupon links	Panel ID: P01 – P05 / Coupon ID: C01 – C05
Released by	Jane Smith
Approval	(signature)
Date	2025-05-14

Certificate vs Supporting Evidence

CoC

subtitle: Declaration and release caption: Summarises compliance and provides traceability to the controlled requirements.

Et Report

subtitle: Opens / shorts evidence caption: Confirms electrical continuity and insulation per the defined test criteria.

Microsection

subtitle: Structural evidence caption: Verifies layer build, features and workmanship at the section plane.

Impedance Report

subtitle: Measured coupon results caption: Documents impedance values against targets over the specified frequency range.

Material / Finish Certificates

subtitle: Source and process evidence caption: Confirms materials, finishes and treatments meet the specified requirements.

1. Order Requirements — PO, drawing, specifications, class and addenda are defined.
2. Manufacture — Board is built to the controlled requirements and work instructions.
3. Inspect & Test — Electrical, dimensional and visual checks plus required tests are performed.
4. Authorise Release — Authorised individual reviews and signs the Certificate of Conformity.
5. Retain Records — CoC and supporting evidence are retained per the agreed period.

A CoC is the front page of the quality record — Not a substitute for objective evidence.

Identify the Exact Shipment

Supplier • Customer • Configuration • Quantity • LOT

Certificate of Conformity (CoC)

1 Supplier & Certificate Control

Field	Value
Legal Company Name
Actual Manufacturing Site
Supplier Code
Unique CoC Number
Issue Date (YYYY-MM-DD)
Revision / Reissue Trail
Page	of

2 Customer & Order

Field	Value
Customer Name
PO Number and Revision
Line Item
Programme / Contract
Delivery Note

3 PCB Configuration

Field	Value
Exact Customer Part Number
Exact Drawing / Design Revision
Manufacturer Part Number
Fabrication Data-set ID
Product Description
Rigid / Flex / Rigid-Flex
Layer Count or HDI Identifier	(where required)

4 Quantity

Field	Value
Accepted Quantity
Shipped Quantity
Unit of Measure
Panel Quantity
Split Shipment or Partial Lot	[ ] Full Shipment [ ] Partial Shipment [ ] Split Lot

5 Production Traceability

Field	Value
Production Lot / Batch
Work Order / Job
Date code (yyyy-mm-dd)
Panel IDs	E.g., P01, P02, P03 …
Coupon / Sample IDs	e.g., C01, C02 …
Sub-Lot (if applicable)

1. Board Marking — (board label reads: Np-4587 rev c / lot L260814-03 / P01)
2. Packing List
3. COC
4. Work Order
5. Test Reports

Weak

lead: “PCB boards – conforming” detail: No part number • No revision • No quantity • NO LOT footer: Not traceable. Not acceptable.

Controlled

lead: Np-4587 rev c • 50 pcs • Lot L260814-03 items:

• Exact part number & revision
• Exact quantity & uom
• Identified lot (traceable)
• Full link to documents

Never release a base part number without the exact revision.

Define the Acceptance Basis

Drawings • Standards • Class • Materials • Finish

1. Purchase Order — Defines what is being purchased.
2. Fabrication Drawing / Data — Defines product geometry and requirements.
3. Customer Specifications — Defines general requirements and acceptance criteria.
4. IPC Performance Specification — Defines proven acceptance criteria for the product class.
5. Addendum / Special Requirements — Defines project-specific additions and exceptions that apply.

Example Only: IPC-6012F • Class 3: Use the actual invoked revision and class.

Do Not Say “to IPC Standards”: without standard, revision and class.

IPC Class Declaration: “Class 3 capable” is not the same as certifying this lot to invoked Class 3 requirements. Acceptance is based on the invoked IPC specification, revision and class.

Addendum / Special Requirements

• Space / military
• Medical
• Automotive

Addenda apply only when invoked in the contract.

Technical Declarations When Controlled

Laminate Manufacturer / Grade

caption: State manufacturer, material grade / system and approved equivalent.

Starting / Finished Copper Weight & Special Foil

caption: Specify starting copper (e.g., 1 oz) and finished copper (e.g., 1 oz). State special foil (rolled, HVLP, ED, etc.) if used.

Surface Finish & Selective Finish

caption: Specify overall surface finish (e.g., ENIG, ENEPIG, OSP, HASL) and any selective finish requirements.

Gold / Nickel Thickness Certificate

diagram labels: Au / Ni caption: Provide certificate of plating thickness where required (e.g., ENIG Ni/Au thickness).

Solder Mask / Legend

diagram labels: R1 / C1 caption: State colour, coverage, registration tolerance and legend requirements.

Controlled Impedance Report

caption: Reference required impedance values, tolerance and the report to be provided.

Special Structures

caption: Declare structures such as HDI, metal-core or sequential lamination and any related requirements.

Regulatory Declarations (When Contractually Applicable

• RoHS — Compliant to RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU + amendments).
• REACH / svhc — Compliant to REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and SVHC requirements.
• Halogen-free — Halogen-free per IPC-4101 or customer requirement.
• UL recognition — State UL file number and product category if applicable.
• Country of origin — Declare country of origin only when contractually required.

Only declare what is applicable and supported by evidence. Retain records.

Include what is required and traceable — Not unsupported logos or generic claims.

Link the CoC to Objective Evidence

Electrical • Structural • Impedance • Dimensional • Reliability

CoC Is the Hub

The Certificate of Conformance (CoC) identifies the lot and scope. All objective evidence must be traceable to it.

Certificate of Conformance (CoC

Field	Value
CoC	CoC-001245
Part number:	NT-7200A-1
Revision:	A
Lot / date code:	L260814-03
Quantity shipped:	120 PCS
Caption	Traceable report ids

Controlled Reports

Objective evidence generated from the same lot/panel and coupon(s) identified in the CoC.

Report ID	Report
ET-82641	Electrical Test Report
MS-82641	Microsection Report
IMP-82641	Impedance Report
DIM-82641	Dimensional Report
CLN-82641	Cleanliness / Reliability
MAT-82641	Material / Finish Report

Electrical Test

• Required test completed
• 100% if invoked
• Report Number: ET-82641
• Lot / Date Code: L260814-03
• Quantity Covered: 120 PCS

Microsection / Structural Integrity

caption: Evaluates microvia, backdrill, press-fit and layer integrity.

• Report Number: MS-82641
• Coupon / Panel ID: Pnl-03C
• Lot / Date Code: L260814-03
• Thermal Stress / IST: Performed
• Pass / Fail: Pass

Controlled Impedance

• Test Completed
• Report Number: IMP-82641
• Coupon / Panel ID: Pnl-03C
• Lot / Date Code: L260814-03
• Measured Results: Retained
• Deviations Identified: Yes / No

Dimensional / Special Inspection

• FAI Completed (if required)
• Critical Dimensions Verified
• Finished Hole / Press-Fit Verified
• Bow / Twist Measured
• Backdrill Depth Verified
• Plating Thickness Verified
• Report Number: DIM-82641
• Lot / Date Code: L260814-03

Cleanliness / Solderability / Reliability

diagram label: Sir OK

• Cleanliness: Performed
• Ionic Contamination / SIR: Performed
• Solderability: Performed
• Peel Strength: Performed
• Thermal Stress / IST: Performed
• CAF: Performed (if invoked)
• Report Number: CLN-82641
• Lot / Date Code: L260814-03

Material / Finish / Sub-Tier

• Laminate Certificate: Included
• Surface-Finish Certificate: Included
• Independent Lab Reports: Included
• Outsourced Special-Process Records: Included
• Sub-Tier Traceability: Maintained
• Report Number: MAT-82641
• Lot / Date Code: L260814-03

Matching Rule – All Must Match

• Same part number
• Same revision
• Same lot / date code
• Same coupon / panel link

1. CoC-001245 — Certificate of conformance
2. Lot L260814-03 — Lot / date code
3. Et-82641 / Ms-82641 / Imp-82641 — Traceable report ids

A report from another lot is not evidence for this shipment. Ensure every report is traceable to the CoC lot, coupon/panel and revision shown above.

Declare Exceptions and Authorise Release

Deviations • Rework • Signature • Retention

Document any approved deviations or rework, obtain proper authorisation, and retain objective evidence to ensure traceability and product acceptance.

Conformity Statement: We certify that the products identified on this certificate were manufactured, inspected and tested, as applicable, in accordance with the purchase order, approved drawing/data and referenced specifications, except for approved deviations identified herein.

Note: Adapt to contract and controlled quality-system language.

Deviations / Concessions

Item	Detail
NCR number	Document the Nonconformance Report number.
Deviation / concession / waiver number	Assign a unique identifier.
Customer approval	Obtain prior written approval when required.
Quantity affected	State the quantity or percentage of product affected.
Lot applicability	Identify lot/serial numbers or applicable range.
Marking or segregation	Describe how affected product is identified and controlled.

Rework vs Repair

Rework

caption: Returns the product to the original requirement.

Repair

caption: Does not fully restore the original condition and may require customer authorisation.

• Procedure or work instruction used
• Affected quantity and lot/serial identification
• Approval obtained (customer when required)
• Post-repair inspection and/or test results

Authorised Release

Item	Detail
Printed name	Name of the individual authorising release.
Job title / function	Title or function of the authoriser.
Controlled signature or electronic approval	Handwritten signature or validated electronic approval.
Release date	Date the authorisation is granted.
Authorisation traceability	Reference to NCR/Deviation/Concession and related documents.
Company stamp (if used)	Stamp only if controlled and part of the system.

Digital Certificate Considerations

• Approval must be attributable to a specific person.
• Alteration of the certificate requires revision and reissue.
• Date, time and identity are retained.
• Authenticity must be verifiable throughout retention period.
• Use PDF security or digital signature when required.

• Certificate of conformance (CoC)
• Inspection and test results
• Material / finish certificates
• Traveler and lot records
• Deviation approvals and correspondence
• Calibration and sub-tier records

Retain for the period defined in the contract or applicable requirements.

1. Original CoC — Issued per original requirements.
2. Corrected / Rev A — Reissued when updates, corrections or deviations are approved.
3. Reason and Reference Retained — Link to NCR / Deviation / Concession and related approvals.

A CoC must never conceal a known nonconformance.

Review, Qualify and Release

Buyer Check • Supplier Check • Red Flags • Final Control

1. Receive Shipment
2. Match PO & Line
3. Verify Part & Revision
4. Match Lot & Reports
5. Review Exceptions
6. Accept & Archive

• Supplier / site approved
• Certificate number and date
• PO / line
• Exact part number and revision
• Quantity received and packing list
• Lot / date code and board marking
• IPC standard, revision, class and addendum
• Material and surface finish
• ET, microsection, impedance and special reports
• Approved deviations
• Authorised release (name, signature, date)
• Archive by receiving lot

• Correct customer / ship-to
• Released fabrication data
• Quantity per PO / line
• Lot / work order / date code
• All inspection / tests accepted
• Reports linked to same lot
• Material / finish correct
• Customer clauses satisfied
• Deviations and repairs disclosed
• Statement accurate and complete
• Authorised release (name, signature, date)
• Final quality record archived

Red Flags – Stop and Investigate Before Accepting

• No unique CoC number
• Missing revision
• GENERIC CLASS 3
• Lot mismatch
• HIDDEN NCR
• Uncontrolled signature
• REPORT FROM ANOTHER LOT
• Unretrievable records

Core CoC Field Matrix – Required for Traceability

Certificate No.	Supplier / Site	Customer	PO / Line	Part No. / Rev	Description / Quantity	Lot / WO / Date Code	Drawing / Spec / Class / Addendum	Material / Finish	ET / Microsection / Impedance Reports (Yes / N/A)	Deviations (Ref.)	Authorised Name / Signature / Date
Unique identifier	Name and location	Buying organisation	Purchase order and line item	Exact part number and revision	Board type and quantity shipped	Manufacturing lot or work order	IPC class and addendum (if any)	Base material and surface finish	Reports included and referenced to lot	List all deviations and approvals	Person who released the shipment

Identify what was built • State what was required • Link the evidence

A good CoC lets an engineer reconstruct the shipment years later.