Eurasia EAC Certification Services - G&M Compliance, Inc.

EurAsia Certification Services: EAC, FAC, and RGTN

Currently there are three main certification categories as follows:

EAC – Electrical/electronic products 50-1000 Vac, 75-1500 Vdc
FAC – Telecom and wireless products
RGTN – Industrial Machinery/Mining

General Information:

EAC

Previously, the conformity assessment of electrical/electronic products in Russia was defined by the GOST-R scheme. Beginning July 1, 2010, Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan created the Customs Union (CU), which as of July 15, 2011 has since been replaced by the EAC (EurAsian Conformity) certification scheme. The EAC mark mainly covers product safety requirements and is now used exclusively to demonstrate conformity assessment of products in Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

All products within the voltage ranges given above are subject to the EAC mark. There are two potential paths to EAC certification depending on product type. The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) which must be issued by a certification body, or the Declaration of Conformity, which is similar to the EUs CE Declaration of Conformity, and can be issued by the in-country representative. A CoC is mandatory for the following product types:

Electrical apparatus and household equipment:
Personal electronic data processing machines (personal computers).
Low-voltage equipment connected to electronic data processing machines.
Electric hand tools (hand and portable electrical machinery).
Electro musical instruments.
Cables, wires and cords.
Automatic breakers, protective cutout devices.
Devices for electric energy distribution.
Electrical apparatus for electrotechnical sets control.

A DoC may be utilized for other product types, but must be registered to a declarations database by an authorized registrar. DoC products can in many cases opt to go the CoC route. This path may provide a higher degree of confidence of conformity, but can be costlier, and subject to annual inspection control audits, varying from certification body to certification body. Validity periods for both the DoC and CoC certifications depend on product type, and country of origin. Test reports for both DoC and CoC certifications can come from foreign labs, so in-country testing can generally be avoided.

FAC

Telecom and wireless products require mandatory Federal Agency of Communications (FAC) certification. In addition, devices that incorporate encryption require Federal Security Service (FSS) certification.

RGTN

For industrial machinery, mining equipment or products classified for use in a hazardous environment, other certifications such as RGTN (Gosgortechnadzor), Technical Passports (TP), or Metrology Certificates may be required.

Challenges Obtaining and Maintaining Eurasian Certification

Delays can occur from not going in with the right test plan, or having the right regulatory information. The following are preventable issues that can cause delays:

Initial test plan not designed to leverage base model or wireless module to the full extent
Not understanding complex certification requirements for specific product type/category
Russia may not accept EAC Certificates issued by certification agencies outside of Russia
Not having in-country representative and representation to ensure compliance
Submitting incorrect forms and documents to Russian certification bodies
Not properly communicating and following up with certification bodies
Certificate expirations cause unexpected lapse in coverage

How Can We Help?

G&M utilizes the following practices to achieve a fast and efficient EAC certification:

Develop a test plan that maximizes certification coverage of current and future products based on product type, and wireless module type (if applicable)
Maintain good relations with EAC agencies in Russia to ensure acceptance of certificates
Determine which mandatory certifications are required based on product type/category
Work with local Russian authorities to expedite certification
Identifying a responsive and reputable in-country representative
Track and alert customers of upcoming annual renewals of certificates with G&M’s proprietary Certificate Alert and Tracking System (CATS)

G&M Compliance has established partners in Russia to ensure that the certification process is completed in a timely manner. Our compliance experts understand the regulations and technical requirements necessary to minimize the risk of certification delays or rejection. In addition we stay updated on ever-changing regulations and requirements.

For more information, additional questions, or to request a quote – Please submit an online RFQ, Contact Us, or call.

Other Russia Certifications

Medical devices are required to be registered and certified by the Russian Federal Service of Surveillance in Healthcare (Roszdravnadzor).

Certification Details

EAC Certification

Certification Mark: Yes – EAC Mark
In-Country Representation: Required
In-Country Testing: Not Required
Expiration Details: 3-5 years
Continuing Surveillance: No factory inspection or market surveillance

FAC Certification (Telecom/wireless)

Certification Mark: Not Required, but ID marking is required on the product
In-Country Representation: Required
In-Country Testing: Not Required
Expiration Details: 3 years
Continuing Surveillance: No factory inspection or market surveillance

RTN Certification (with Technical Passport for industrial machinery, Mining or Hazardous location equipment)

Certification Mark: Not Required
In-Country Representation: Required
In-Country Testing: Not Required
Expiration Details: 3-5 years
Continuing Surveillance: No factory inspection or market surveillance

Insource Homologation Management

We have found that often times certification bottlenecks can occur within a manufacturer’s organization. As a result, we offer a service to provide internal help managing regulatory certification tasks. Because G&M is not a certification body, we are in a unique position to offer valuable regulatory expertise without any conflict of interest issues. In such cases we place G&M certification experts into our customers’ organizations to manage the certification process for them. Once on the inside, our managers can leverage G&Ms collective experience to guide certification processes in an efficient and cost-effective manner. To learn more about this service see our Homologation Management Service Page.

Certificate Alert and Tracking System (CATS)

Untimely expirations of certificates can cause delays in product deliveries. Re-certification of products will generally be treated as new submittals instead of certificate renewals. This can be time-consuming and costly. G&M provides a web-based certification tracking system that alerts users when expirations are coming, provides on-line storage of important certification documentation, and is searchable by certification specific criteria. For more information on this system see our CATS page.