Certified Conformance Evaluator Program

Arranging a Third Party Verification Inspection

The TPV inspection is performed under an agreement between the Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) and the applicant. All fees and expenses for the inspection are to be established between these two parties. Contact information for all current CCEs is available in this CCE List.

About CCE Accreditation

The CCE program is an accreditation program administered by 3-A SSI. The CCE credential is a primary requirement for the performance of the TPV inspection of the hygienic design of equipment. The TPV inspection is a central requirement for 3-A Symbol authorization or any other voluntary 3-A SSI certificate program. Click here to read/print/download a current copy of the TPV Manual.

The CCE program is designed to enhance the integrity of the 3-A SSI programs by providing the industry with a register of professionals who have the appropriate qualifications, work experience and the demonstrated knowledge for evaluating and verifying equipment fabricated in accordance to 3-A Sanitary Standards, or processing systems manufactured and installed in accordance to 3-A Accepted Practices. The independent inspection programs of 3-A SSI provide assurance of hygienic equipment design and thereby benefits regulatory sanitarians, equipment fabricators, processors, and consumers.

The CCE brings substantial knowledge, experience and a valued professional reputation to this task. Individuals with the CCE designation have successfully completed a rigorous evaluation process. All CCEs have met specific criteria for basic education and industry experience in a setting where 3-A Sanitary Standards were applied. They have also demonstrated high verifiable work experience and high professional integrity. Every CCE has also passed a comprehensive written exam testing their knowledge of principles of sanitary equipment design for 3-A equipment, the ability to interpret engineering drawings pertaining to manufacturing equipment and instrumentation for the food processing industries, and the ability to review and evaluate complex processes. Future Exam Date Will Be Announced.

Criteria for Certified Conformance Evaluators

Requirements for obtaining and maintaining the CCE credential are detailed in the publication ‘Criteria for Certified Conformance Evaluators’. See a complete copy of the current requirements at Criteria for Certified Conformance Evaluators .

Third Party Verification Quick Guide

CCE Bulletins

These on-line CCE Bulletins have been approved by the TPV Coordinating Committee to support and assist the CCEs in performing uniform and reliable Third Party Verification (TPV) inspections. Click on the bulletin number for a complete copy of the text.

Bulletin No.	Bulletin Title	Bulletin Purpose
2022-3	Information for CCEs Regarding Various Scenarios for Conducting 3-A TPV Inspections for a 3-A Symbol Authorization, Replacement Parts Mark or Process Certificate	As the 3-A TPV program enters its twentieth year of operation, it is important that the program clarify how to address various situations which have become more common with the consolidation of the equipment manufacturing industry.
2022-2	Methods for Conducting Third Party Verifications	This CCE Bulletin provides CCEs with important provisions for conducting TPV inspections and approved methods for conducting on-site and virtual inspections.
2022-1	3-A TPV Certified Conformance Evaluations: Extension of the Virtual Trial to August 31, 2022	The 3-A Sanitary Standards organization has extended the trial period of this bulletin (effective CCE Bulletin 2020-2 October 15, 2020) until August 31, 2022 to allow either traditional or “virtual” Third Party Verifications (TPV’s) evaluations at the discretion of the 3-A Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) for either the renewal or granting of an initial 3-A or RPSCQC symbol.
2021-2	RPSCQC for EOAT Versus 3-A Symbol Authorization for Robot System (Integrator)	The 3-A Third Party Verification Coordinating Committee (TPVCC) met on 3/31/2021 and concurred with the 3-A Steering Committee’s decision from their Annual Meeting in 2016 that equipment components such as End of Arm Tooling (EOAT), tool changers, and similar components of a robotic system are only eligible to apply for the 3-A Replacement Parts & System Component Qualification Certificate (RPSCQC). The RPSCQC has its own registered trademark with program requirements covered in Clause E4 of the TPV Manual. EOATs are components that support the larger Robot-based Automation System (RBAS). A complete robot system with components that meets 3-A Sanitary Standard, Number 103-00, 3-A Sanitary Standard for Robot-based Automation Systems are eligible to apply for the 3-A Symbol Authorization.
2021-1-a	3-A TPV Certified Conformance Evaluations: Extension of the Virtual Trial to June 30, 2022	The 3-A Sanitary Standards organization has extended the trial period of this bulletin (effective CCE Bulletin 2020-2 October 15, 2020) until June 30, 2022 to allow either traditional or “virtual” Third Party Verifications (TPV’s) evaluations at the discretion of the 3-A Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) for either the renewal or granting of an initial 3-A or RPSCQC symbol.
2020-3	Reference to Requirements in the 3-A Sanitary Standard for General Requirements	Reference to Requirements in the 3-A Sanitary Standard for General Requirements, Number 00- for Application of Gaskets and O-rings for Third Party Verification Under the Replacement Parts and System Component Qualification Certificate Program (RPSCQC)
2020-2	3-A TPV Certified Conformance Evaluations: Six (6) Month Virtual Trial	The 3-A Sanitary Standards organization is establishing a six (6) month trial that will start with the finalization of this Bulletin by 3-A SSI and accept either traditional or “virtual” Third Party Verifications (TPV’s) certified conformance evaluations at the discretion of the 3-A Certified Conformance Evaluator (CCE) for either the renewal or granting of an initial 3-A or RPSCQC symbol.
2020-1	Temporary Six (6) Month Extension of the Required On-Site, Physical Recertification of Equipment with a 3-A Symbol for 2020	This CCE Coordination Bulletin identifies temporary, alternate procedures to be followed during the COVID-19 health crisis, in order to reduce potential disease exposure in the interest of public health for CCEs, the equipment fabricator’s staff and the general public while government advisory travel restrictions are in place.
2018-1	Information for TPV cover page for online RPSCQC and Process Certificates	The following guidance shall be used by the CCE when performing TPV evaluations. This guidance is effective immediately upon receipt and shall be used until revoked or included in an up-date of the TPV Manual. This guidance is to improve the usefulness of the certificates issued under the Replacement Parts and System Components Qualifications program (RPSCQC) and the 3-A Process Certification program
2017-3	TPV Evaluation of Plastic, Rubber and Rubber-like Materials	The following guidance shall be used by CCE when performing TPV evaluations and provides additional criteria for the acceptance of non-metal materials.
2017-2	Model Numbers and Product Descriptions	The following guidance shall be used by the CCE when performing TPV evaluations and provides guidance on appropriate unique model number designations.
2017-1	Meat and Poultry Standards Use	The following guidance shall be used by the CCE when performing TPV evaluations of meat and poultry processing equipment covered by Standards ANSI/3-A/NSF 14159-1, ANSI/3-A/NSF 14159-2 or ANSI/3-A/NSF 14159-3. This guidance is effective immediately upon receipt and shall be used until revoked or included in an up-date of the TPV Manual.
2016-1	Proper use and reference to the General Requirements Standard, Number 00- in the application of the Replacement Parts and System Component Qualification Certificate Program (RPSCQC)	The following guidance shall be used by the CCE when performing TPV evaluations. This guidance is effective immediately upon receipt and shall be used until revoked or included in an up-date of the TPV Manual.
2014-2	Information required for listing on 3-A Symbol authorization certificates relating to equipment covered by 3-A Standard 74-06 for Sensors And Sensor Fittings And Connections and proper inspection of potential voids behind seals and gaskets.	Provides guidance to the CCEs on proper inspection of potential voids behind seals and gaskets.
2014-1	Information required for listing on 3-A Symbol authorization certificates relating to equipment covered by 3-A Standard 85-03 for Double-Seat Mixproof Valves.	Provides guidance to the CCEs when performing TPV inspections and amending certificates with new information requirements.
2012-1	Identifying Hose Assemblies During TPV Evaluations	Provides guidance to the CCEs when performing TPV inspections of hose assemblies under Standard 62- with emphasis on ensuring correct model number format and wording for consistency of equipment identification among the TPV reports.
2011-3 Rev. 1	DIN Standard Fittings Compliance	Provides guidance for CCEs to use when inspecting DIN Standard fittings for conformance to 3-A Sanitary Standards for Fittings and Connections, Number 63-.
2011-2	Handling Hybrid Equipment Designs	Provides guidance on creative designs and processing technologies which produce items covered by multiple 3-A Sanitary Standards.
2011-1	Model Number Designations Acceptable for TPV Evaluations	Provides guidance on the collection and listing of model information on the TPV Report for 3-A Symbol Authorization.
2007-2	Inspection of Permanently Welded Joints	Provides guidance for joint welding standards for CCEs.
2007-1	Mechanical Force Seals in 3-A SSI Valve Standards	Provides guidance on mechanical force seals in 3-A SSI valve standards for CCEs.
2006-2	Standard 02-10, Milk Pumps, Interpretation of Clause D11.2.2.5, Enclosed Threads	Provides interpretive guidance on ‘cleanable’, ‘drainable’, and ‘validated’.
2006-1	Use of Non-referenced 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices During TPV Evaluations	Provides guidance on use of non-referenced 3-A Sanitary Standards and 3-A Accepted Practices.
2005-3	Evaluation of Rubber and Plastic Materials Using 3-A Standards 18- and 20- for a 3-A Symbol	Applies to the evaluation of rubber, rubber-like and plastic materials for conformance with applicable 3-A Standard(s) for the purpose of authorizing a 3-A Symbol.
2005-2	Applicability of 3-A Standards 18- and 20- (Rubber and Plastic) in Processing Equipment	Applies to the evaluation of rubber, rubber-like and plastic materials in equipment to be covered by a 3-A Symbol.
2005-1	Evaluation of Ceramic Material On Equipment With A 3-A Symbol	Applies to the use of ceramic materials in equipment covered by a 3-A Symbol.
2004-2	Guidance on TPV Inspection Checklist	Provides guidance on use of TPV Inspection checklist.
2004-1	Guidance on Materials Acceptability Criteria	Provides guidance on silicon carbide, application of certain provisions of 3-A Standard 20-, and requirements for appurtenances.