Under the EAC certification system, there are the regulations for explosion-proof products (EAC EX TR CU 012/2011 on the safety of equipment in potentially explosive classified areas) that regulate the issuance of the Certificate EAC EX similar to the European ATEX; and the regulation TR CU 032/2013 on the safety of pressure equipment, parallel to the PED Pressure Equipment Directive.

The Mandatory Gost R certificate remains in force for a limited number of product categories, like medium and high voltage equipment, constantly decreasing. The voluntary Gost R certificate is instead attainable for most of the products: either a stand alone certificate in case the product category is not regulated by mandatory certifications, or in combination with an EAC Certificate or an EAC Declaration. The voluntary Gost R certificate remains commercially valuable, due to the well known Gost R marking logo associated with it. The presence of the Gost R logo on the product in fact, should ensure quality to consumers.
An extremely important certificate is, for its limited range of applicability, the Gost R Metrological Pattern Approval for measuring instruments. This document is exclusive to the sector of measuring devices and components and, unlike the documents listed so far, its issuing is left to the Federal bodies of Russian Federation through our mediation. The attainment process of the Pattern of Approval includes various steps that may prove burdensome in terms of time, the details on the Pattern of Approval page.

The EAC and GOSTR (PCT) conformity marks

The EAC and GOSTR (PCT) conformity marks are visual indicators applied directly to product packaging, labels, or accompanying documentation. Their presence serves as a crucial signal to potential buyers, assuring them that the product has undergone a formal assessment and demonstrably meets the quality standards and regulatory requirements established within their respective systems. Critically, both the GOSTR (PCT) and EAC marks signify that either a certificate of conformity or a declaration of conformity has been officially issued for the product in question, providing a foundational level of trust and accountability. The confirmation of a product’s conformity can be achieved through various processes, broadly categorized as declaration, mandatory certification, and voluntary certification, each having specific implications and associated markings.

The GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark, within the framework of the GOST R system, specifically denotes compliance with Russian national standards. Notably, there are distinct applications of the GOSTR (PCT) mark depending on whether the certification was mandatory or voluntary.

In the case of mandatory certification under the GOST R system, if a product is legally required to undergo certification and has successfully obtained a mandatory certificate of conformity, it is then marked with a specific GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark for mandatory certification. This particular mark goes beyond simply indicating compliance; it also incorporates information identifying the specific certification body that conducted the evaluation and issued the certificate. This is achieved through a letter and digital designation directly linked to the certification body’s registration number. The precise rules governing the application, format, dimensions, and technical specifications of this mandatory GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark are meticulously detailed in the Russian national standard GOST R 50460-92 – “Conformity mark for mandatory certification. Form, dimensions and technical requirements.” This standard ensures uniformity and clarity in the application of the mark.

Conversely, the EAC sign serves a broader purpose, acting as the designated mark of product circulation within the Customs Union market, which currently comprises several member states. The application of the EAC sign is mandated for products that are subject to either mandatory certification or a declaration of conformity according to the technical regulations established by the Customs Union. By displaying the EAC sign, manufacturers communicate to consumers that the necessary certificate or declaration of the Customs Union has been secured for their product. Applying the EAC sign to product packaging is not merely a recommendation but a legally binding requirement stipulated by the current technical regulations of the CU. This ensures that products circulating within the Union have met harmonized safety and quality standards.

Furthermore, the GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark also plays a role in the realm of voluntary certification within the GOST R system. After a manufacturer or applicant chooses to undergo voluntary certification and successfully obtains a certificate of conformity, the resulting products can be marked with a specific voluntary certification conformity mark. This mark explicitly includes the phrase “voluntary certification,” clearly distinguishing it from marks associated with mandatory processes. It is important to undeGOSTR (PCT)and that the application of this voluntary certification mark is not legally mandated. Unlike the mandatory certification mark, the voluntary GOSTR (PCT) mark does not include the identification code of the certification body, emphasizing the voluntary nature of the assessment.

Finally, the GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark is also utilized in situations where product conformity within the GOST R system is confirmed through a declaration of conformity. If a product falls under the scope of mandatory declaration and the producing enterprise has duly registered a declaration of conformity, the product is then marked with the GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark. In this specific instance, however, the GOSTR (PCT) mark is applied without the inclusion of the information code that would otherwise identify the certification body. The application of this particular GOSTR (PCT) conformity mark is a mandatory requirement for goods that are listed in the official nomenclature of products subject to quality confirmation through the acceptance of a declaration of conformity. This ensures that products declared as compliant are clearly identifiable in the market.