Reference is made to some of these standards in regulations which apply, for instance, to environment, health and safety and construction. Such standards are also used as the basis for well established and often mandatory certification programs. Some standards are also used on a voluntary basis by industrial associations wishing to self regulate and to take advantage of the certification programs available for that purpose. The BNQ's standards are developed with the assistance of some 55 committees regrouping over 770 volunteers who work in the respect of the basic principle of standardization, namely consensus. The balanced composition of the standard development committees set up by the BNQ ensures an even representation from industry people, users, regulators and specialists who study together all aspects of a problem, thereby ensuring that all opinions are expressed and taken into consideration.
Certification is based upon product sampling and testing and implant quality audits.
Whenever all pre-requisites are met, a manufacturer is granted the right to affix the appropriate BNQ mark of conformity on its product. At a glance, consumers know that a product meets the requirements of a particular standard and therefore stands out from other products. The BNQ can also assess the quality systems put in place by different types of organizations, most often according to the ISO 9000 series standards. This helps these organizations to be recognized nationally or internationally as being capable of supplying quality products on a regular basis. The system in based on examination of the organization's quality manual and on implant quality audits.