EAC Certificate for Low Voltage Equipment

Before importing goods into the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), manufacturers are obligated to fulfill an important prerequisite: conformity assessment in accordance with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union (TR CU).

EAC Certification of Low-Voltage Equipment

The Technical Regulations of the Customs Union (TR CU/EAEU) comprehensively define the safety requirements that products must meet in order to be placed on the market within the EAEU member states.

Without the appropriate conformity assessment, whether in the form of an EAC Certification, SGR Certification or EAC Declaration, in accordance with the requirements of the TR CU/EAEU directives, customs clearance of goods in the EAEU states is not possible.

Distributing products without a valid EAC marking within the territory of the EAEU may lead to significant sanctions and fines for the manufacturer. To avoid such risks, it is advisable to consult an experienced certification service provider at an early stage, who can professionally carry out the necessary EAC approvals and register them in the official certification register of the EAEU states.

For the export of low-voltage devices or their components into EAEU countries, the Technical Regulation TR CU 004/2011 is particularly important.

Safety Requirements for Low-Voltage Equipment

The Technical Regulation TR CU 004/2011 defines mandatory safety requirements for low-voltage equipment in the member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The goal of this regulation is to ensure, through clear technical specifications, the protection of human life and health, the environment, as well as consumer interests.

Accordingly, affected devices and installations must be designed and manufactured in such a way that they reliably protect against hazards such as electric shock, excessive heat development, mechanical injuries, or fire risks.

Import and use within the EAEU is only permitted if conformity with TR CU 004/2011 is proven through a valid EAC approval.

Scope of Application of the Regulation TR CU 004/2011

According to TR CU 004/2011, all devices designed to operate with an alternating voltage between 50 V and 1000 V or with a direct voltage between 75 V and 1500 V are considered low-voltage equipment. The following overview indicates which devices fall under these voltage ranges:

Examples of devices subject to conformity according to TR CU 004/2011 include:

• Cables and wires
• Electric tools
• Household appliances
• Electrical distribution equipment
• Switch cabinets
• Safety switches
• Electronic musical instruments
• Electric control and regulation systems
• Electrical devices and accessories
• Personal computing devices

Examples of devices not subject to conformity according to TR CU 004/2011 include:

• Military equipment
• Medical devices
• Elevators and associated accessories
• Equipment for nuclear power plants
• Water management systems
• Aviation-specific equipment
• Agricultural equipment

Note: These lists are not exhaustive but provide a good overview of the range of products that, depending on their application, may require conformity assessment.

Important: Even if a product does not fall under TR CU 004/2011, it may still be covered by other technical regulations of the EAEU and may require certification, declaration, or registration.

Certification Process According to TR CU 004/2011

First, it must be determined whether the product falls under the mandatory certification according to TR CU 004/2011. If this is the case, the product must undergo the corresponding steps of the certification process.

For conducting a certification or declaration, complete technical documentation compliant with the GOST regulations is required. 

This documentation includes, among others:

• User manuals and assembly instructions
• Technical passports and data sheets
• Technical product description
• Internal and external test reports
• Product drawings
• Certificate of origin
• Safety analysis
• Customs tariff number
• ISO certificates 

Our experts carefully check all documents for completeness and compliance with the EAC and GOST standards. Only after all documents comply with the safety requirements of the TR CU/EAEU guidelines can the certification process be initiated.

If the operational documents do not comply with the requirements of TR CU 004/2011, they must either be revised or newly created entirely. We reliably manage these services for you. We offer a comprehensive solution for conducting the EAC conformity assessment, including creating and adapting technical documentation according to GOST requirements. Upon request, we translate your original documents into the official languages of the EAEU member states and adapt them according to standards.

Once the documentation is complete, the certification can begin. For this purpose, an application to a certification body accredited by the EAEU state authorities is required. We work exclusively with state-accredited bodies to avoid risks and provide maximum security for our customers. The EAC declaration can be made either by the manufacturer itself or by an authorized representative in the EAEU.

If the manufacturer does not have its own registered company address in one of the EAEU member states, we offer our customers the possibility to act as an authorized representative through our local branch.

As part of the certification procedure, the product will be checked for EAC conformity by a state-recognized test laboratory based on the submitted documentation and test reports. Depending on the product, additional sample tests or production audits may be required.

After the successful completion of all tests, the certificate or declaration is issued. Subsequently, the product is registered in the official online registry of approved goods.

Important Notice: Only companies with an address in an EAEU member state are authorized to carry out certification. Without a local presence, conformity confirmation is only possible through an authorized representative. Here again, we support you with our EAEU presence.

Labeling Requirements for Low-Voltage Equipment

The Eurasian Economic Union, consisting of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, has established a unified system to ensure product safety by introducing the EAC marking. This marking fulfills a similar function as the CE marking in the European Union. It confirms compliance with mandatory technical regulations.

For manufacturers and importers of low voltage equipment, it is therefore crucial to understand and correctly implement the requirements of the EAC labeling obligation to ensure legally compliant market access to the EAEU countries.

The labeling obligation for low voltage equipment is based on the Technical Regulation TR CU 004/2011, which addresses the safety of low voltage equipment. This regulation governs the placing on the market, safety requirements, and testing procedures for electrical equipment within the defined voltage range.

In order for a product to carry the EAC marking, the following conditions must be met:

1. EAC must be applied to the product visibly, permanently, and clearly legibly.
2. Declaration of conformity and complete technical documentation.
3. User manuals and safety information must be available in the official languages of the EAEU member states. 

Additionally, the marking must also appear on the packaging and accompanying documentation. 

The applicant for the EAC certification must be a legal entity or natural person registered in one of the EAEU member countries. For foreign manufacturers, this means they require an authorized representative within the EAEU.

Products without valid or correctly placed EAC marking may:

1. be rejected at the border,
2. be withdrawn from circulation,
3. be subject to fines or import bans. 

Therefore, careful preparation and execution of conformity assessment are essential. The EAC marking is a fundamental prerequisite for marketing low voltage equipment in the EAEU member states.

Manufacturers should verify early on whether their product falls under Technical Regulation TR CU 004/2011 and initiate the appropriate conformity assessment procedure. Only correct and complete implementation can ensure a smooth and legally compliant market entry into the EAEU.

Validity Period of EAC Certificates of Conformity

The validity period of certificates depends on various factors, particularly the type of product, the selected conformity assessment procedure, and the nature of production. 

Below you will find an overview of the most important aspects:

1. EAC certificate for serial production: Valid for 1 to a maximum of 5 years, depending on the product type and procedure. For regularly produced products (e.g., household appliances), validity is tied to periodic monitoring measures and inspection audits.

2. EAC certificate for single or batch deliveries: Valid only for a specific shipment or batch. This certificate does not have a classic expiry date, as it applies exclusively to the specified quantity of goods.

3. EAC declaration: Also valid from 1 to a maximum of 5 years, depending on the product type and the selected declaration scheme. The declaration can be carried out by the manufacturer or a representative and must be registered in the certification registry.

Factors influencing validity:

1. Risk class of the product: Higher-risk products are subject to stricter testing requirements, which may reduce the validity period.

2. Production type: Continuous serial production may allow validity of up to 5 years. Irregular or project-based production typically results in shorter validity periods. 

3. Quality of technical documentation: The scope, clarity, and timeliness of test reports, technical documentation, QM evidence, and certificates are decisive for determining the validity period.

4. Renewal: A renewal of existing certificates in the strict sense is not provided. After expiration, a new conformity assessment procedure must be completed, and a new certificate must be issued.

Existing test reports or documentation can be used during recertification if they remain valid and compliant with current standards. 

Certification Duration for Low-Voltage Equipment

The duration of EAC certification for low-voltage equipment (according to TR CU 004/2011) depends on several factors, including the conformity assessment procedure, the quality of documentation, and the involvement of an authorized representative in the EAEU. Here are the key points regarding typical timelines:

1. EAC declaration: approx. 1 to 2 weeks
2. EAC certificate for serial production: approx. 3 to 4 weeks
3. EAC certificate for batch delivery: approx. 2 to 3 weeks

Authorized EAEU Representative

The authorized representative in the EAEU countries is required for carrying out the EAC conformity assessment. An authorized representative is a legal entity based in a member state of the Eurasian Economic Union. 

It acts on behalf of a foreign manufacturer to carry out the certification procedure and typically also assumes responsibility for:

• Submission of applications for certification and/or declaration
• Communication with relevant EAEU authorities
• Archiving and provision of operational documentation
• Compliance with legal obligations within the EAEU

Manufacturers outside the EAEU are not permitted to directly apply for certificates or declarations. Only a company registered in the EAEU may act officially as an applicant. Without an authorized representative, market approval is not possible.

The representation is usually governed by a contract, a power of attorney, or a formal mandate. This must be available in Russian or in the respective local language of the EAEU countries and must be submitted during the certification process.

An authorized representative is a mandatory component of EAC certification for all manufacturers outside the EAEU. Choosing a reputable and competent partner is crucial, as it represents the manufacturer's legal interests throughout the entire jurisdiction of the EAEU member states.

EAC Certification Costs for Low-Voltage Equipment

The costs for EAC certification of low-voltage equipment (according to TR CU 004/2011) vary greatly depending on the product type, the selected certification procedure, and other influencing factors. 

EAC certification costs for low-voltage equipment: 

• EAC declarations: approx. 1,500 to 4,500 euros
• EAC certificate for serial production: approx. 4,500 - 9,000 euros
• EAC certificate for batch and single deliveries: approx. 4,500 - 7,500 euros
• Cost for authorized EAEU representative: approx. 1,200 - 1,500 euros/year

Factors influencing the total costs:

• Product type & complexity
• Risks and safety relevance
• Necessity of laboratory testing
• Number of product variants
• Validity period of the certificate

Difference between EAC Certificate and EAC Declaration

The difference between EAC Certification and EAC Declaration is crucial for companies aiming to export products to the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The Eurasian Economic Union consists of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. 

Here is a clear and structured overview: