Before a product or device can be added to the IMD-PQS database it must tested to establish whether it satisfies the requirements of the relevant IMD-PQS performance specification(s), via verification against the respective verification protocol(s).

There are three distinct method of testing:

• Type-examination
• Independent type-testing
• Full Quality Assurance

An accredited testing laboratory is an organization that can perform one or more of the functions outlined above. In addition it must be able to demonstrate its competency by conforming to appropriate internationally or nationally accepted standards or codes of practice and must be able to show to a competent third-party accreditation body that is does so; usually by peer assessment.

All independent type-testing must be carried out by an accredited testing laboratory. In addition, accredited testing laboratories may sometimes be employed to carry out type-examination or full quality assurance of IMD-PQS products.