TR CU 031/2012 | Agricultural and Forestry Machinery Safety

TR CU 031/2012 is the Technical Regulation of the Customs Union on the safety of agricultural and forestry tractors and their trailers. It establishes mandatory safety requirements for tractors, trailers and certain components covered by the regulation that are placed on the market within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

TR CU 031/2012 provides the regulatory basis for the EAC Certification of products falling within its scope. These include in particular:

wheeled agricultural and forestry tractors,
crawler agricultural and forestry tractors,
trailers for such tractors,
certain components of tractors and trailers covered by the regulation.

The regulation is intended to establish uniform safety requirements within the EAEU and to reduce risks associated with the operation of agricultural and forestry tractors and trailers.

Depending on the vehicle type, category and design, the requirements cover numerous safety-related characteristics. These may include:

braking and steering systems,
driver’s workplace and protective devices,
visibility,
lighting and light-signalling devices,
mechanical coupling devices,
noise and other operating parameters,
marking,
other design and safety-related requirements.

TR CU 031/2012 also establishes specific requirements for certain components. These include, for example, certain lighting and light-signalling devices, audible warning devices, glazing, retro-reflectors and mechanical coupling devices. The specific requirements must be determined on the basis of the respective component and its function.

The Conformity Assessment is carried out in accordance with the procedures specified in the Technical Regulation. The required testing and evidence differ depending on whether a complete tractor, a trailer or a covered component is being assessed.

As part of the Conformity Assessment, the following documents and tests may be relevant:

technical product descriptions and design documentation,
a Test Report and other appropriate test documentation,
evidence relating to safety-relevant components,
testing of braking, steering and protective devices,
testing of lighting and signalling devices,
other technical evidence required by the regulation.

An essential part of the procedure is the Technical Documentation. It must contain the information required to identify and assess the product and enable its compliance with the applicable requirements to be evaluated.

For tractors, trailers and components covered by the regulation, relevant standards and UN Regulations may also apply as part of the Conformity Assessment. The applicable testing requirements depend on the specific product and the relevant requirements of TR CU 031/2012.

For serially manufactured products, depending on the applicable procedure, measures for assessing production conditions and monitoring ongoing conformity may be required in addition to Product Testing.

Particular attention should be paid to correct Product Classification. Not every agricultural or forestry machine falls within the scope of TR CU 031/2012. Self-propelled machinery, attachments or other agricultural machinery may, for example, be subject to other Technical Regulations (TR EAEU / TR CU). For many types of machinery and equipment, TR CU 010/2011 – Safety of Machinery and Equipment may be particularly relevant.

Therefore, before starting the Conformity Assessment procedure, it should be determined:

whether the product falls within the scope of TR CU 031/2012,
which vehicle or product category it belongs to,
which technical requirements apply,
which tests and evidence are required,
which Conformity Assessment procedure is applicable.

Incorrect Product Classification or incomplete Technical Documentation may result in additional testing, delays or problems during the Conformity Assessment.

Following successful completion of the prescribed Conformity Assessment procedure, the applicable product marking and documentation requirements must also be observed. Where the requirements of the applicable Technical Regulations are fulfilled, the prescribed EAC Marking must be applied.

We support the Manufacturer as well as exporters in the assessment of agricultural and forestry tractors, trailers and components for the EAEU market. This includes assessing the scope of application, Product Classification, preparing the Technical Documentation, coordinating the required testing and carrying out the required EAC Conformity Assessment.

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