The Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków has joined the narrow group of bodies holding defence and security accreditation granted by the Minister of National Defence. In April 2026 COCH obtained two OiB certificates at once - for the Refrigeration Equipment Laboratory and the Product Certification Department. This is a key step opening new opportunities for cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and the defence industry.
COCH with two OiB Accreditations from the Minister of National Defence - new opportunities for the defence sector
The Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków has joined the narrow group of bodies holding defence and security accreditation granted by the Minister of National Defence. In April 2026 COCH obtained two OiB certificates at once - for the Refrigeration Equipment Laboratory and the Product Certification Department. This is a key step opening new opportunities for cooperation with the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and the defence industry.
What is OiB Accreditation and why does it matter?
Accreditation in the field of defence and security (OiB Accreditation) is formal recognition by the Minister of National Defence of the competence of an organisational unit to conduct activities related to conformity assessment of products intended for the defence and security needs of the state. It is granted on the basis of the Act of 17 November 2006 on the system of conformity assessment of products intended for the defence and security needs of the state.
In practice, OiB accreditation means that a given body - a laboratory or a certification body - has undergone rigorous verification conducted by the Military Centre for Standardisation, Quality and Codification (WCNJiK) and meets all legal and technical requirements authorising it to assess products intended for the military and uniformed services. Products covered by this system include, among others, military and special vehicles, electronic and optoelectronic equipment, communication systems, equipment for detecting CBRN threats, as well as all equipment used by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland and other formations responsible for state security.
Holding OiB accreditation is a necessary condition for participation in conformity assessment processes for military products in Poland. For manufacturers of military equipment and suppliers to the armed forces this means that they may commission testing or certification of their product only to an accredited body. There are few such accredited bodies in Poland - which makes obtaining the accreditation a significant competitive advantage and confirmation of exceptional competence.
Two certificates, two competencies - full service for defence-sector clients
COCH is currently one of the few entities in Poland that has both an accredited testing laboratory and an accredited product certification body in the OiB area. Both units operate within the same organisation, at ul. Juliusza Lea 116 in Kraków, providing defence-sector clients with comprehensive service - from testing through certification - in one place.
Refrigeration Equipment Laboratory - OiB Accreditation Certificate No. 69/MON/2026
COCH’s Refrigeration Equipment Laboratory (LUCh) obtained OiB Accreditation Certificate no. 69/MON/2026, confirming compliance with standard PN-EN ISO/IEC 17025:2018-02 - the international standard defining general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
The laboratory has been accredited to conduct testing in the field of environmental resistance of military equipment and defence products. The scope of accreditation covers in particular:
- Resistance testing to reduced and elevated ambient temperature in the range from -35°C to +70°C - by direct measurement method, in accordance with standard NO-06-A107:2021 clauses 4.2 and 4.3 (Test Procedure PB-TD, edition 2 of 19 May 2025)
- Resistance testing to increased humidity up to 98% RH - by direct measurement method, in accordance with NO-06-A107:2021 clause 4.4
- Temperature distribution testing in climatic chambers and in test objects - in the same temperature range (-35°C to +70°C)
Testing is conducted in a climatic chamber with a test space of dimensions 23 m length × 4 m width × 4.6 m height - enabling testing of large military objects, including vehicles, containers and large-scale systems.
The accreditation covers products from groups 6, 7, 11, 16 and 17 in accordance with the act on the system of conformity assessment of defence products, i.e. among others tanks, vehicles and special cars for military and police applications, military equipment for detection and identification of chemical, biological and nuclear materials, electronic and optoelectronic reconnaissance, countermeasure and combat assets, and special communication systems.
Product Certification Department - OiB Accreditation Certificate No. 70/MON/2026
COCH’s Product Certification Department (DCW) obtained OiB Accreditation Certificate no. 70/MON/2026. The accreditation confirms competence in product certification for conformity with military requirements, based on standard PN-EN ISO/IEC 17067:2014-01 (Conformity assessment - Fundamentals of product certification and guidelines for product certification schemes).
DCW conducts product certification under certification scheme PR-06.1 (edition 1 of 5 March 2026), covering resistance testing to environmental factors and temperature distribution testing, performed in accordance with standard NO-06-A107:2021 clauses 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 and Test Procedure PB-TD edition 2 of 19 May 2025.
The scope of DCW accreditation covers the same groups of defence products as the laboratory - tanks, special vehicles, CBRN equipment, military electronics and special communication systems from groups 6, 7, 11, 16 and 17.
How did COCH obtain OiB accreditations?
Both applications for OiB accreditation were submitted to the Minister of National Defence at the end of 2025 - LUCh on 11 December 2025 and DCW on 15 December 2025. WCNJiK then carried out a detailed assessment of both units’ fulfilment of the requirements set out in Article 14(1) points 1–4 of the Act of 17 November 2006. The assessment covered, among other things, management system documentation, documentation of laboratory and certification activities, and the opinion of the Internal Security Agency concerning compliance with classified information protection regulations.
As a result of a positive assessment, the Minister of National Defence issued two administrative decisions - no. 11/WCNJiK and no. 12/WCNJiK - of 3 April 2026, granting OiB accreditation to both COCH units for a period of 3 years, i.e. until 3 April 2029.
What does this mean for COCH clients and partners?
Obtaining OiB accreditation by both of COCH’s key units opens new opportunities for companies in the defence sector and suppliers of equipment to the armed forces. COCH can now carry out the full conformity assessment process for military products - from laboratory testing, through certification, to issuance of documents confirming conformity with defence requirements.
For manufacturers and suppliers of military equipment who need to perform:
- climatic and environmental testing of military equipment and vehicles (resistance to temperature, humidity, temperature distribution),
- certification of defence products for conformity with military standards,
- conformity assessment in the process of seeking approval of a product for use by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland -
- COCH is now a fully accredited partner whose test results and issued certificates are recognised by the Minister of National Defence.
We invite you to contact us to discuss the details of cooperation.
📍 Central Refrigeration Centre “COCH” in Kraków Sp. z o.o. ul. Juliusza Lea 116, 30-133 Kraków
OiB Accreditation Certificates no. 69/MON/2026 and no. 70/MON/2026 issued on the basis of decisions of the Minister of National Defence no. 11/WCNJiK and no. 12/WCNJiK of 3 April 2026. Accreditations valid until 3 April 2029.
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