Sample Products for EAC Certification

EAC Conformity Assessment and Sample Products

For EAC certification or EAC declaration of certain product types, sample products must be sent to Russia or another member country of the Eurasian Economic Union, depending on the technical regulations and certification scheme.

As part of the EAC conformity assessment, individual sample products must be tested for quality and suitability. The necessary types of testing are prescribed by the regulations of the technical regulations of the EAEU states.

The sample tests can only be conducted by accredited testing laboratories located in the Eurasian Economic Union.

Sample Products for Certification or Declaration

The results of the sample tests are detailed in the test protocols and entered into the unified register of approved products. The EAC certification and the EAC declaration are based on the analytical results of the conducted sample tests.

The product samples can be shipped with any freight forwarder. It is important to use the correct customs clearance method. The samples must be cleared as sample goods.

The following documents are required for the customs clearance of sample products:

• Proforma invoice
• Note on sample goods
• Description of samples
• Information about the manufacturer
• Letter from an accredited laboratory
• Information about the applicant
• Contract with the applicant in Russia
• Contract with the certification service provider

The proforma invoice must contain the following information:

• Designation of sample goods
• Detailed description of samples
• Details of the applicant
• Details of the manufacturer
• Details of the place of production
• Price information
• Item number
• Serial number
• Composition
• Customs tariff number

Typically, three samples in the same color and size are required, in accordance with the applicable GOST regulations for sample collection for EAC conformity assessment. Certain laboratories may require up to five sample products depending on the type of product and certification scheme.

Sample Collection for EAC Certification

The sample products must be cleared as samples for EAC certification or EAC declaration. For this reason, it is very important to conduct the sample collection in accordance with the applicable customs regulations.

For EAC certification of products from a foreign manufacturer, the sample collection is carried out according to the requirements of the certification service provider; for EAC declaration, the sample collection can be conducted by the manufacturer itself.

The sample collection can take place at the manufacturer's warehouse, the supplier's warehouse, or at the production site of the products.

Sample collection for various product groups: 

• For EAC certification of machinery and equipment, typically one sample is required.
• For EAC declaration of furniture, experience shows that only one sample is needed.
• For EAC certification of textiles and clothing, typically three to five sample events are required.

The selected samples must represent the entire range of the foreign manufacturer; the entire EAC certification for the entire certification period is based on the sample products.

The test protocols are retained by the certification service provider, the applicant, and the laboratory. The testing laboratory is legally obligated to archive the test protocols of conducted product tests for up to 5 years and to present them to the approval authorities upon request.

Types of Testing for Sample Products

In EAC certification or EAC declaration, two types of tests are applied for the quality assurance of sample products. A distinction is made between destructive and non-destructive tests.

In destructive sample tests, the goods are permanently destroyed and can no longer be sold. In non-destructive tests, the samples can be collected and sold after the tests.

Test Protocols for Sample Products

After the tests have been conducted, the responsible testing laboratory prepares the test protocol and documents all conducted tests and the test results. The test protocol serves as proof of the conducted tests and test results. Based on the analytical basis of the test protocol, the declaration or certification is carried out.

The test protocols contain the following information:

• Types of tests
• Date of testing
• Details of the manufacturer
• Details of the applicant
• Description of samples
• Test results

Validity of Test Protocols:

• Mandatory certification: The test protocol can be issued for 1 to 5 years.
• Voluntary certification: The test protocol can be issued for 5 years or longer.

Customs Declaration for Sample Products (GTD)

• English: GTD Declaration – Import Customs Declaration
• Russian: ГТД Декларация – Грузовая Таможенная Декларация 

A GTD declaration is an official document from the Russian customs office that confirms that the sample goods have been imported and cleared accordingly.

When registering EAC certificates and EAC declarations, a copy of the GTD certificate is uploaded to the unified register of approved products along with the test protocols.

Legal Provisions

The collection, import, and customs clearance of sample products are regulated according to the following provisions: 

1. Decision of the Eurasian Economic Commission N294 - On the procedure for the import of sample products into the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union.
2. GOST 31814-2012 - General regulations for sample collection and product testing for EAC certification.
3. Statement of 29.12.2017 from the Russian customs service regarding the import of sample products into Russia for the purposes of EAC certification or EAC declaration.
4. Statement from the Russian customs service and the certification authority of 15.03.2019 regarding product testing for EAC conformity evidence.

EAC Marking of Sample Products

The product samples sent to Russia or EAEU states for the purpose of EAC conformity assessment do not need to be EAC marked.

When sending samples, it is part of the process of EAC certification or EAC declaration of products; therefore, the product samples do not need to demonstrate EAC conformity.