Declaration vs. Certificate of Conformity: What's the Difference?

When importing or manufacturing vehicles and auto components in Russia, the question arises: what needs to be issued - a declaration of conformity or a mandatory certificate? Both documents confirm the compliance of products with safety requirements, but there are significant differences between them. Let's figure it out.

What is a declaration of conformity?

A declaration of conformity is a document by which a manufacturer or supplier certifies that their products comply with the requirements of technical regulations. When declaring, the applicant (manufacturer or supplier) is fully responsible for the compliance of products with safety requirements.

What is a mandatory certificate of conformity?

A mandatory certificate of conformity is a document issued by a certification body based on the results of tests conducted in an accredited laboratory. During certification, both the applicant and the certification body are responsible for the compliance of products with safety requirements.

The main differences between a declaration and a certificate:

Characteristic	Declaration of conformity	Mandatory certificate of conformity
Responsibility	Entirely on the applicant (manufacturer)	On the certification body
Procedure	The applicant independently confirms compliance based on his own evidence	The certification body analyzes the documentation and organizes tests in an accredited laboratory
Issuing body	Certification bod	Certification body
Reason for issue	The applicant's own evidence (e.g. test reports	Test reports conducted in an accredited laboratory

When is a declaration issued and when a certificate?

The type of document that must be issued is determined by the Technical Regulations of the Customs Union "On the Safety of Wheeled Vehicles" (TR CU 018/2011). Depending on the type of vehicle or auto component, either a declaration or certification is required.

Examples:

Declaration: May be required for some types of tires, batteries, rear-view mirrors.
Certification: Mandatory for brake systems, lighting devices, seat belts.

Important:

Information about which document is required for a specific type of product should be clarified with an accredited testing laboratory.

In conclusion:

A declaration of conformity and a mandatory certificate are two different ways of confirming the compliance of a product with safety requirements. Certification involves stricter control by the certification body and the accredited laboratory, which ensures a higher degree of trust in the document. The choice between a declaration and a certificate depends on the type of product and the requirements of the technical regulations.