Mandatory Certification

Mandatory Certification refers to the legally required Conformity Assessment of certain products before they are placed on the market within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The term is often used as a general expression for mandatory conformity assessment procedures.

However, from a regulatory perspective, a distinction must be made between EAC Certification, an EAC Declaration and other prescribed approval or registration procedures.

The required form of conformity assessment depends on the product type, technical characteristics, intended use and applicable Technical Regulations (TR EAEU / TR CU). The prescribed Proof of Conformity may take the form of an EAC Certificate, an EAC Declaration or, in certain cases, a state registration.

Mandatory Certification is intended in particular to:

• ensure Product Safety,
• protect consumers, operators and other persons,
• reduce technical risks,
• implement uniform safety requirements within the EAEU,
• demonstrate compliance with mandatory regulatory requirements.

Whether a product is subject to mandatory conformity assessment depends in particular on:

• the scope of the applicable Technical Regulations,
• the product type and intended use,
• technical characteristics and potential hazards,
• the regulatory Product Classification,
• product-specific requirements concerning the Certification Procedure or declaration procedure.

Customs tariff classification under TN VED EAEU may also be relevant for regulatory assessment. However, the TN VED code alone is not sufficient to determine whether certification or declaration is mandatory. The scope of the applicable Technical Regulation and the actual technical characteristics of the product are decisive.

Depending on the product group, different Technical Regulations may apply:

• TR CU 010/2011 – Machinery Safety for machinery and industrial equipment,
• TR CU 012/2011 – Explosion Protection for equipment and protective systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres,
• TR CU 032/2013 – safety of Pressure Equipment and pressure-containing assemblies,
• TR CU 004/2011 – safety of Low-Voltage Equipment,
• TR CU 020/2011 – Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC),
• TR EAEU 037/2016 – RoHS / restriction of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

For machinery subject to TR CU 010/2011, an EAC Certificate or an EAC Declaration may be required, depending on the product group. Products falling within the scope of TR CU 012/2011 are generally subject to mandatory EAC Ex Certification.

For pressure equipment subject to TR CU 032/2013, the relevant pressure equipment category must be determined. This classification may influence the prescribed conformity assessment procedure. Our Pressure Equipment Category Calculator provides an initial assessment.

Several Technical Regulations may apply simultaneously to electrical and electronic products. Careful assessment of the regulatory requirements is therefore necessary.

For certain product groups, other mandatory procedures may be prescribed instead of or in addition to EAC Certification. These include, in particular, State Registration (SGR) for products subject to specific hygiene and health-related requirements. Further information is available on our State Registration (SGR) service page.

The required form of conformity assessment must therefore be determined individually for each product. Correct Product Classification provides the basis for this assessment.

Depending on the product, the applicable Certification Scheme or declaration procedure and the regulatory requirements, the conformity assessment process may include:

• review of the Technical Documentation,
• Product Identification and technical assessment,
• provision and identification of the required Test Samples,
• Product Testing and, where necessary, Material Testing,
• assessment of safety documentation and the required Risk Assessment,
• evaluation of production conditions,
• where applicable, a Factory Audit and consideration of the Quality Management System,
• measures relating to Production Surveillance and subsequent Inspection Control, where required by the procedure.

The results of the required tests are documented in a Test Report or other appropriate testing documentation. Where laboratory testing is prescribed, it is carried out by a suitably accredited Testing Laboratory. Depending on the procedure, the involvement of a Certification Body may also be required.

Laboratory testing and technical assessments form part of the respective conformity assessment procedure. They do not replace the prescribed Proof of Conformity.

An essential part of many procedures is the technical documentation. Depending on the product and the applicable requirements, this may include:

• product descriptions and technical specifications,
• drawings, circuit diagrams and technical data sheets,
• test reports and technical evidence,
• Operating Instructions, where required,
• a Technical Passport, where prescribed,
• a Safety Justification and the associated risk assessment, where required.

Following successful completion of the prescribed conformity assessment procedure, an EAC Certificate is issued, an EAC Declaration is registered or another required approval or registration is obtained, depending on the product group and applicable regulations.

For products subject to the relevant Marking Requirements, the prescribed EAC Marking must subsequently be applied. The requirements of the applicable Technical Regulation must be observed.

Incorrect product classification, missing testing documentation, incomplete Technical Documentation or failure to consider additional applicable Technical Regulations may result in further testing and delays in the conformity assessment process. Regulatory non-compliance may also lead to Customs Clearance problems, findings during Market Surveillance or restrictions on market access.

The obligation to obtain certification or complete another prescribed conformity assessment procedure should therefore be examined before exporting and preferably at the beginning of an EAC certification project. This allows the applicable regulations, required procedure, scope of testing and necessary technical documents to be identified at an early stage.

We support Manufacturers, importers and exporters in determining mandatory certification requirements and carrying out the necessary EAC Certification and EAC Declaration procedures. Our services include Product Classification, assessment of applicable Technical Regulations, determination of the required conformity assessment procedure, coordination of testing and review or preparation of Technical Documentation.