For the few pound it will cost, I would suggest getting this done externally by an indepent 3rd party. 

Rember the HSE's INDG422 Thorough examination of lifting equipment states that the competent person should be sufficiently independent and impartial to make objective decisions. 

Originally Posted by: MJT110474

If an organisation designs and builds it's own lifting equipment for instance specialist lifting bars for lifting round plates, can that organisation then load test and certify the lugs themselves, if they have design engineers and calcs?

you no doubt have this covered, a lifting beam remember comes under the machinery directive as a lifting accessory.   You will need to have a technical file and DOC.  I think the DOC may be used in place of having and initial TE completed before being put into service,bear in mine the Technical File and/or DOC may be requested by the assessment body.

The supply of machinery regs apply to machinery place on the market OR put into service in the UK.  There are some cases with supply of machinery regulations where a technical file for the machinery needs to be type examined by a notified/conformity assessment body.  Off the top of my head lifting accessories don’t fall under this requirement but best take a look as the regs just in case.