1Is the local representative company required for handling the EAC certification?
In accordance with Customs Union legislation, a foreign manufacturer must appoint a Local Representative (Applicant) within the territory of the CU to obtain a certificate or declaration. This Applicant may be a customer, distributor, or an authorized representative company in the CU. VES Testing & Certification can act as your official Local Representative, ensuring your company is properly listed on the certificate or declaration.
2What does Annual maintenance inspection assume?
Each serially manufactured product requiring a Certificate of Conformity is subject to an Annual Maintenance Inspection (AMI) when applying for a certificate valid for more than one year. This process ensures that the certification body verifies the product is still being produced at the same quality level. Verification may involve re-testing product samples or reviewing Quality Management System documentation. In certain cases, the certification body may also conduct production site audits as part of the AMI.
3What does the cost of certification services depend on? Is there any price list?
The cost of certification services depends on the type of the required approval document and technical characteristics of the product itself that influences the scope of tests that are to be conducted. We have no price-list because used to work with a wide range of certification bodies, testing laboratories, and other specialized state institutions (Federal Security Service (FSS) licensing center, Radiofrequency center (RFC), Rostekhnadzor, Roszdravnadzor, etc.)And this means that the price can vary depending on product specification and certain certification body's pricing policy. If we are talking about the product specification, then the cost can be affected by the number of models, differences in applied models, the number of communication standards used (for radio products), the number of declared protective properties (for PPE), metrology characteristics ( for measuring devices) and so on. Each product is unique, each request must be carefully calculated to determine the type of document, the amount of testing, the most optimal certification scheme, the number of test reports, etc. Also, it is important to note that CU certification bodies have a certain accreditation (product range they can approve). So, in case of big projects that include different products for certification we should apply to several different authorities. Each of those has individual pricing policies due to their testing facilities. This fact can significantly affect the pricing and process. Our goal is to provide accurate consulting services in a specific case. Therefore, we are happy to evaluate the client's application, which contains the name and description of the product and the HS code (Customs code).
4What is the EAC mark and when should it be applied?
The EAC mark is a mandatory approval symbol for products imported into the Customs Union (CU). It grants access to the markets of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan, enabling distribution across a region of nearly 200 million consumers. The EAC mark can only be obtained after completing the certification procedure in accordance with the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union.
EAC stands for “Eurasian Conformity.” The unified mark must be affixed to each product unit, its packaging, or accompanying documentation. It should be applied in a single color that contrasts with the surface, and its placement on products, packaging, and documents is defined by the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union.
5Can the production site audit be replaced by CIG report?
A production site audit may be required if a product must obtain a Certificate of Conformity under the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union. Many clients ask whether this audit can be replaced with a CIG report, which is commonly issued by European manufacturers. However, under Customs Union regulations, a CIG report cannot substitute the audit. Certification authority experts are legally required to personally verify the Quality Management System (QMS) during the approval process.
6How is determine whether the Declaration of conformity or Certificate of conformity is required?
The required form of approval documentation depends on the product description and its HS Code (Customs Code). Each Technical Regulation of the Customs Union contains a list that specifies whether a Certificate of Conformity or a Declaration of Conformity is necessary for a given product, based on its HS Code and application area. In certain cases, specific technical parameters must also be considered, such as for pressure equipment, PPE products, and other regulated categories.
7What is required to import the samples for tests?
Samples can be imported for testing only after completing all preparatory steps. First, an application for certification is prepared and confirmed with the client. Next, the client issues an invoice for the delivery of samples, which must be sent to us for verification. When the samples arrive at the customs clearance office, the recipient prepares the required documents confirming the purpose of import and pays the applicable government fees. Import duties are calculated based on the declared product value in the shipping invoice, while products valued under 200 EUR are exempt from such fees. The final stage involves registering the cargo declaration, which confirms that the samples have cleared customs and are eligible for use in the certification process.
8How can the EAC approval documents be prolonged after the expiration date?
The Customs Union certification system does not provide a prolongation procedure. This means the full certification process must be repeated, including testing and, if required, a production site audit. Upon completion of all procedures, a new approval document will be issued.
9Is there an open register where the issued EAC approval document can be checked?
Almost all approval documents must be registered in publicly accessible databases. These include the Register of EAC Certificates of Conformity, the Register of EAC Declarations of Conformity, the Register of State Registration Certificates, and the FFS Notifications (for encrypted means). For additional information, please contact us at info@ves-certtification.com
