Certification Process

Continua Certification is open for members-only. For information on the process below, please click here to download our Public Certification Presentation.

Below is an overview of the certification proces.

Process

The following documents are listed in the order they will be used in the certification process.

1. Ensure your product conforms to all Continua Design Guidelines and related standards.
2. Study the Certification Specification for information on certifying your product. Determine if you will need to apply for Type A certification (used for all new products), Type D certification (used for products that are a derivative of an existing Type A certification), or Type O certification (used for certification when the product being sent to Continua is an existing Type A certification being sold by an OEM).
3. Fill out the Certification Application for your device type (PAN Agent/Manger or HRN Sender) and send it to certadmin@continuaalliance.org. This document contains the information necessary to begin the certification process for your device.
4. [PAN Agents/Managers only] Set up a certification time by emailing the Test Lab of your choice.  We suggest you allow up to one week for an initial certification and possibly plan for a one week retest.
5. Prepare for certification. Certification has two pieces: conformance testing towards the Continua standards/specifications and interoperability testing (PAN devices only). Vendors are encouraged to run through all tests which apply to their device in order to ensure a successful test experience.
   Conformance testing: A free version of the Test Tool used in conformance testing is available to Continua members from Continua. Click on the link http://members.continuaalliance.org/members/td_library/ to sign the license agreement and download the tool. Contact admin@continuaalliance.org if you have any questions regarding the download process. For details on installation of the Test Tool, usage of the Test Tool, or the Test Procedures used in the Test Tool, see http://members.continuaalliance.org/apps/org/workgroup/tcwg/documents.php --> Certification Testing Documentation.
   Interoperability testing (PAN only): Continua also requires Interoperability Tests to be run and passed. See http://certification.continuaalliance.org/IOPTestSuite/IOPProceduresList.php for the of procedures to be passed. Tests need to be run against an already certified device that implements the same device specialization(s) as the device under test. The list of already certified devices that your device will be expected to interoperate with is also available from http://certification.continuaalliance.org/IOPTestSuite/IOPProceduresList.php.  This list provides contact information as well in the event that you would like to purchase of otherwise obtain these devices.  They will also be available at Continua Plugfest events.
6. Test your device. If you have a PAN Agent or Manager, you will need to ship your device to the Test Lab at least three days prior to your certification date. If you have a HRN Sender, you may self test your device at any time. See previous step for information on how to get a copy of the HRN Test Tool.
7. Submit test results to Continua.  To protect your privacy, Test Labs are only allowed to submit your test results to Continua Administration and the TOM at your request. Ask the Test Lab to submit your test results to Continua Administration and the TOM for review. If you have waiver applications for failed or inconclusive results, these should be submitted to the TOM at this time as well. The TOM needs to provide technical approval of your results in order for testing to complete.
8. Sign the Certification Mark License Agreement as well as the Reference Device License Agreement. This will need to be completed before your company can use the Continua Certified logo on your product.
9. Review the Certification Logo Manual and the Certified Logo Usage Guidelines once your certification is compete to ensure you do not violate Continua's Logo Usage Policy.  If you have additional questions, contact certadmin@continuaalliance.org for more information.
10. Pay any applicable fees.  Testing fees are documented in the Path to Certification training presentation. Listing Fees are $5,000 for Contributors, $3,000 for Promoters.

Press Policy (Web site)

1. Prior to final certification paperwork, Continua Administration will request a picture and 50-word description of the Certified Device from the primary or marketing contact. a) Continua will NOT download content from manufacturer's Web site unless specifically instructed by the contact to do so. b) All product and company content must be approved by the company primary contact before it is posted to the Continua Web site.
2. Once Continua has received the description and picture, Continua Administration will send this to the primary contact for approval (unless originally received from primary contact).
3. Receipt of approval to use description and picture from primary contact from Company.
4. Confirmation that the product is certified, receipt of final paperwork.
5. Continua Administration will confirm with the primary contact (and marketing contact, if applicable) the timing of when to post the product description and picture to the Continua Web site.

Press Policy (Press Activities)

1. Continua Administration will notify Nereus once a product is in the final stages of certification.
2. Nereus will reach out to company's primary or marketing contact to discuss Continua press package and determine if there are any special requests, such as no press release or additional Continua quotes, etc.
3. Nereus will work with the contact to determine a targeted time outline for reviews, deliverables and approvals of all press activities.
4. Nereus must confirm the announcement material has undergone all company internal reviews before being released to the public and must have final written approval from the company primary contact. Continua Administration will provide contact information for primary contact as needed.

_{Continua Health Alliance device certification does not mean or imply that the device is legally marketable in any country; certification only assures that devices communicate in a standard fashion per Continua certification requirements and Guidelines. Refer to the device manufacturer or country Health Authority for specific details associated to device marketability or usage. CONTINUA DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH REGARD TO ANY CERTIFIED PRODUCTS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES OR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INFRINGEMENT. ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES ARE THOSE PROVIDED BY THE MANUFACTURER, DISTRIBUTOR OR SELLER OF THE DEVICES AND CONTINUA MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THE EXISTENCE OR AVAILABILITY OF THE SAME.}