An EAC certificate or an EAC declaration is an official confirmation from the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC) that certifies that the goods in question comply with the regulations of the Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU states).
For German or European manufacturers, this means they are allowed to export their products without further restrictions throughout the territory of the EAEU member states. The EAC conformity assessment is carried out through an examination of goods, during which it is determined whether the products meet the EAC standards of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) or not.
The EAC conformity is assessed by testing product samples or product documentation in a testing laboratory or institution accredited in the EAEU states. In certain cases and for specific products, an EAC production audit is required.
The first question that arises is what is EAC certification and why is EAC product certification necessary: Products sold in the EAEU market, including Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Russia, must meet the highest safety standards for consumers and the environment.
To ensure product safety, various procedures are required, which are often referred to in common parlance as EAC certification, although this designation is not entirely accurate. The proper designation for these processes is not limited to EAC certification and EAC marking but refers to a holistic approach that ensures that products not only meet formal requirements but also fulfill the highest safety and environmental standards. This helps to strengthen consumer trust and promote the sustainable development of the Eurasian market.
The general designation of product approval in the EAEU states is defined as EAC conformity assessment. An EAC conformity assessment can take the form of an EAC certification, an EAC declaration, or a State Registration. In choosing the approval procedure, our experts rely solely on the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union.
The technical regulations in the EAEU member states prescribe the corresponding EAC approval procedures for all product groups. The most common approval procedures are EAC certification and EAC declaration; there are also lesser-known approval procedures such as State Registration or GOST certification.
Currently, there are more than 50 different Technical Regulations of the EAEU states, which establish the approval processes for various product groups; these guidelines are continuously updated and modernized. Furthermore, new Technical Regulations are regularly introduced.
The assessment of EAC conformity according to the Technical Regulations can take place in several forms. The two most common approval procedures are EAC certification and EAC declaration.
EAC certification is typically applied to products where there is a potentially high risk to consumers or the environment. This includes, for example, children's furniture, electrical appliances, pressure equipment, or ATEX devices.
The EAC certification aims to ensure strict standards and requirements to guarantee the safety and quality of these products. The relevant technical regulations set out detailed criteria that manufacturers must meet to demonstrate the EAC conformity of their products. This process often involves comprehensive inspections, tests, and audits to ensure that the products meet the established safety standards.
The application of EAC certification to specific product groups serves to protect consumers and the environment from potential risks and to ensure that products can be used safely without endangering health or safety.
The EAC declaration applies to all other product groups mentioned in the technical regulations. The procedure for obtaining a certificate or declaration for a product follows a clear process.
It is important to emphasize that this EAC approval process may vary depending on the product and the specific requirements of the technical regulations. However, involving an accredited EAC certification body ensures the independence and objectivity of the EAC assessment.
EAC certification and EAC declaration are two approval procedures for EAC conformity. A certificate or declaration confirms to the manufacturer that the approved products comply with the Technical Regulations of the EAEU states.
Products subject to certification and declaration are treated according to the provisions of Decision No. 620 of April 7, 2011, and are subject to mandatory EAC certification or EAC declaration.
How does the EAC certification process work in the EAEU?
1. Examination of goods: it is checked whether the products are subject to EAC certification requirements. HS code and product description are required for the examination.
2. Application for certification of the goods: we find the most suitable and accredited testing laboratory in the EAEU for your products and organize all processes for you.
3. Classification and categorization of products: here, the products and goods are classified, and all necessary tests are planned and established.
4. Analysis and testing of products: the sample products are tested for quality and compliance with the regulations.
5. Issuance of the EAC certificate: based on product tests, product analyses, or production audits, the EAC certificate is issued.
How does the EAC declaration process work in the EAEU?
1. Examination of products: first, it is clarified according to which EAC or GOST standards the EAC declaration will be carried out.
2. Examination of goods and documentation of results: the products are tested, and the results of the tests are documented.
3. Issuance of an EAC declaration: based on the test protocols, the issuance of an EAC declaration and registration in the register takes place.
4. Sending of the EAC declaration: the EAC declaration and other documents are sent to an accredited certification body in the EAEU.
5. Registration of the EAC declaration: the EAC declaration is registered in the unified register of the Eurasian Economic Union.
Typically, the following measures are involved:
The EAC approval is carried out according to the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the Eurasian Economic Union. The issued EAC certificates and EAC declarations are entered into a public online register with the corresponding evidence. The validity of certificates and declarations is usually limited to a period of five years.
The EAC conformity assessment is often seen as a formality. However, it involves a complex EAC approval process that depends on several factors.
The duration and costs of EAC approval depend on several factors:
Obtaining an EAC approval can take several weeks or even months. The approval processes are generally dependent on product-specific conditions.
The costs of EAC conformity assessment consist of several components, such as the regulations of the Technical Guidelines of the EAEU states, the number of necessary mandatory tests, the design or composition of the respective products.
The following documents are required for successful EAC approval:
For successful EAC approval, all documents and EAC documents must be translated into Russian or another language of the EAEU member state. Depending on the type and nature of the product, additional documents or materials may be required. The EAC conformity confirmations are valid throughout the entire EAEU territory.
It may happen that a product does not pass the EAC tests. This can occur for several reasons, such as incorrect or insufficient technical documents and/or technical documentation, issues with the quality management system, difficulties with individual supply chain proofs, or errors made during the EAC certification process.
For conducting the EAC approval, additional certifications, such as ISO certification, CE certification, and industrial safety certification, are beneficial but not mandatory.
The manufacturer, importer, and the approval body are responsible for conducting the EAC conformity assessment. From the moment the goods are imported into the EAEU market, the manufacturer and the importer bear the responsibility for the quality, safety, and conformity of the product. The approval body is responsible for the conducted EAC conformity assessment.
This responsibility for quality and safety can have financial implications, and in some cases, personal liability may arise. The approval body is financially liable - in the form of a possible fine, personally - private liability of the managing director, and of course professionally - it can be revoked for gross errors.
Without a corresponding EAC conformity assessment that confirms the EAC conformity of goods with the requirements of the Technical Regulations of the EAEU states, the import and sale of goods throughout the Eurasian Economic Union (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan) is prohibited. Thus, the EAC conformity assessment of goods with the legal requirements becomes a mandatory measure for the manufacturer and the importer.