DTAC is an assessment framework, not a national product certificate issued by NHS England. A manufacturer maintains a completed DTAC form and evidence for a product version. A care provider or commissioner uses it in its own assurance and purchasing decision. NHS England explains the process.
The phrase “DTAC certified” appears in the market, but it needs careful qualification. NHS England says it does not currently endorse any third-party DTAC certification scheme. It also says buyers considering third-party certification or outsourced assurance should be confident in the third party's assessment methods and appropriate guarantees. NHS England says it is exploring a certification scheme for digital health technologies, so check its page for updates before relying on this position. NHS England: conduct a DTAC assessment.
What a supplier can accurately say
The wording should match what actually happened. Examples include:
- “We have completed the current DTAC form for product version X and can provide the supporting evidence on request.”
- “Organisation Y assessed version X against DTAC on [date].” Use this only with permission and describe the scope and any conditions.
- “An independent provider reviewed parts of our DTAC evidence.” Name the reviewer and the review scope if you have permission.
Avoid claiming blanket “NHS approval” from a completed form, an advisor's review or one buyer's decision. A different deployment may involve a different product configuration, local workflow or assurance requirement.
What about medical device certification?
That is a separate question. NHS England says DTAC sits alongside, and does not replace, other approvals that may apply, including medical device requirements. Whether software or AI is a medical device depends on its intended purpose and the applicable law; seek specialist regulatory advice where classification is uncertain. NHS England DTAC overview; MHRA software and AI guidance.
What to ask someone offering a “DTAC certificate”
Ask which product and version they reviewed; which domains were within scope; what evidence they examined; what remained unverified; whether the work involved the buyer's own governance team; and precisely what the document claims. A badge is less useful than an evidence pack the buyer can interrogate.
Assurance AI offers DTAC readiness support: identifying gaps and preparing defensible clinical safety evidence. It does not certify, accredit or approve products. Our pricing page explains the scope of a readiness review.