Type testing is one of the most significant investments OEMs make. It is also one of the easiest to compromise - often without realizing it. A small component change, an updated specification, or a supplier’s modification can be enough to put a certified design at risk.
Type testing refers to the process of verifying that an electrical design, such as switchgear, meets strict standards for safety, performance, and reliability under defined conditions. It is expensive, time-consuming, and essential for proving compliance. Yet maintaining that certification over time is not straightforward.
OEMs today are under constant pressure to adapt. Customers request changes, specifications evolve, and components are updated or discontinued. At the same time, manufacturing needs to remain efficient and standardized. This creates a difficult balancing act: how to stay flexible without compromising certification integrity.
A key challenge lies in component dependency. If a supplier modifies a component - even slightly - it can affect the validity of the overall system certification. Without clear communication or structured change management, OEMs may only discover these issues late, sometimes as late as project delivery.
What OEMs need is stability and transparency. Stable component platforms reduce risk, while clear advance communication about changes allows OEMs to assess impacts early. Equally important is long-term life cycle support, ensuring that spare parts remain available and that obsolescence is managed proactively rather than reactively.
Partnering with suppliers that prioritize life cycle management, communicate changes transparently, and can provide access to technical expertise when needed can help reduce risk. Early visibility of component changes, clearer documentation, and a structured approach to managing obsolescence give OEMs more room to adapt without jeopardizing existing certifications.
Support can also extend to type testing itself through access to accredited laboratories, specialized test facilities, and technical know-how that help OEMs validate designs in line with required standards. Having the right information available throughout the process can help identify potential issues earlier and support informed decision-making when managing design changes.
Ultimately, protecting type-tested designs while enabling change is not about avoiding it – it is about managing it effectively. With the right support, OEMs can maintain compliance, reduce re-certification risk, and continue to meet evolving customer demands while keeping their designs robust and future-proof.
To learn more about how structured partner support, tools, and programs can help address these challenges, explore our channel partner page.
About the author
Marco Guarneri works closely with channel partners, OEMs, and panel builders within ABB's medium-voltage business. He focuses on topics related to switchgear applications, project requirements, and partner development.
