SGS Societe Generale de Surveillance : Act Now to Meet the Customs Union Product Certification Transition Deadline

With less than 12 months to comply, holders of serial product certificates must act now to ensure a timely and smooth transition. SGS enables clients to meet the Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus Customs Union's March 15 2015 product certification transition deadline.

The Customs Union (CU), formed in 2010, is harmonizing existing national standards (GOST-R, TR Russian Federation, ST-B (BLR) and GOST-K) for product certification and replacing them with new technical regulations -  known as either TR CU, or TR EAC ( TR = Technical Regulation CU = Customs Union, EAC = EurAsian Conformity).

New TR CU certificates and TR CU declarations are valid across the whole customs union.

In February 2013, the following TR CU standards became effective and all new products falling within these categories must demonstrate compliance through TR CU certification and/or TR CU declaration:

• TR CU 004/2011 "Safety of low voltage devices and equipment"
• TR CU 010/2012 "Safety of machines and equipment"
• TR CU 011/2011 "Safety of lifts"
• TR CU 012/2012 "Safety of equipment for use in explosive environments"
• TR CU 016/2011 "Safety of gas-fired equipment"
• TR CU 020/2011 "Electromagnetic compatibility of technical equipment"

Existing products, from serial production and which have been certified/declared according to the national certification systems prior to February 2013 can continue to be marketed on these markets until, but not beyond, March 15 2015. After this date, products falling within the above mentioned categories can only be imported with proof of TR CU conformity. They must also be marked with the new conformity mark of the customs union 'EAC'.

As an approved CU certification body, SGS is urging manufacturers and importers to prepare for certification and recertification now.

"SGS's TR CU experts are ready to help clients navigate their way through these changes and plan a route to TR CU compliance," said Sven Grube, SGS spokesperson. "It is important to plan ahead to meet the recertification deadline and ensure business continuity when the transition period ends in March 2015."

Products being imported into Russia and the Customs Union countries must comply with a wide range of complex certification systems and national standards. Depending on the nature of the goods being shipped, one or more approvals may be necessary.

As the world's leading certification company, SGS offers unrivaled experience in Russian certification requirements. Our accredited certification body status and Rostechnadzor license uniquely places SGS to provide the resources and expertise to help you obtain any approvals needed to access Russian and CU markets.

For further information, please contact:

SGS Industrial Services
Sven Grube
International Business Development Manager
SGS Group Management Ltd.
1 Place des Alpes
1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland
t: +41 22 739 9723
www.sgs.com/industrial

SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.