Laboratory tests and factory audits have always been a requirement when issuing an EAC certificate. Unfortunately, in the past, there have been a lot of  fake certification companies in Russia and abroad who have issued fake EAC approvals / EAC certificates by illegal means without carrying out the required laboratory tests and factory visits.

In the spring / summer of 2019, the Russian authorities closed a large number of certification companies and canceled thousands of EAC certificates. This also meant that a large number of companies, which had not done their homework properly and had chosen the cheapest solution, suddenly did not have a valid EAC approval and therefore could not fulfill their contracts. In addition, a lot of products that were suddenly illegal in Russia were seized by the authorities.

In the future, the rules are such that all accredited certification companies must have an archive of all the EAC approvals they have made. Each EAC approval must have its own folder and the folder must include, among other things, 1) laboratory test results; 2) receipts and bank statements; There must be proof of airfare and hotel accommodations. If such evidence is not found, the EAC approval will automatically be canceled and the foreign company’s products will be denied access to the Eurasian Economic Union.

The above shows the importance of companies choosing a credible, trusthworthy and professional partner when applying for EAC approval.

Laboratory tests

For almost all products where a EAC certificate is required and for some products that require EAC-declaration, laboratory tests must be done to ascertain whether the product complies with the applicable regulations. Only laboratories accredited by the Russian authorities are allowed to perform these tests.

Please note that a company that is accredited to issue EAC certificates and EAC declarations does NOT automatically have an accreditation to perform laboratory tests as well.

If a product is to be tested, samples must be sent to the accredited laboratory. We can, of course, help with everything from the preparation of export documents in EU to import procedures and delivery in Russia to the laboratory.

If there is only one example of the product or it is too large to be moved, then the test is performed at the same time as the statutory factory audit.

Factory Audit

For almost all products requiring an EAC certificate, the accredited certification organization is required to carry out a physical factory audit.

During factory audits, 1-2 engineers are sent to visit the production facilities to see how the product is produced and whether it is done according to current regulations. Below is a link where you can see some of the questions that need to be answered by both the engineers and the manufacturer’s management. Factory Audit Questions.