Certification and labelling for Russia: EAC, declarations, Chestny Znak
Which conformity documents are needed for the goods to be released, and how to avoid getting stuck at customs. Check this before production, not at the border.
Why certification comes first
Many goods cannot simply be cleared: to be released into the EAEU they need confirmation of conformity with the technical regulations. Without it, customs will not release the cargo to your Russian customer.
The three documents to know
Certificate of conformity
For goods with higher safety requirements: electrical equipment, children’s products, personal protective equipment. Issued by an accredited body after testing.
Declaration of conformity
A simplified form for most goods: the applicant confirms conformity on the basis of test reports. The goods carry the EAC mark.
Chestny Znak
Mandatory Data Matrix labelling for footwear, clothing, perfume, tyres and a growing list of categories. The codes must be applied BEFORE the goods are put on the market, often even before customs.
The most common mistake
Finding out about a certificate or labelling requirement only at the border. The cargo then sits in a temporary storage warehouse while storage costs keep growing.
What this means for you as the supplier
The applicant for EAC documents is registered in the EAEU — usually your Russian customer or its representative — but the paperwork depends on information from you: product descriptions, technical documentation and, where testing is required, samples. The sooner your customer knows what is needed, the sooner you can supply it.
For goods under Chestny Znak, labels are often applied at your factory or at a consolidation warehouse before customs. Agree with your customer early who orders the codes and where they will be applied, so that production and packing plans take it into account.
Send us the HS code and a description of the goods in advance, and we will tell you which permits and labelling will be needed before the cargo leaves.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an EAC certificate and a declaration?
A certificate is issued by an accredited body after testing and applies to goods with higher safety requirements. A declaration is a simplified form in which the applicant confirms conformity on the basis of test reports; it covers most goods.
When must Chestny Znak codes be applied?
Before the goods are put on the market in Russia — often before customs, at the factory or at a consolidation warehouse.
What happens if a certificate is missing at the border?
Customs will not release the goods. They wait in a temporary storage warehouse, and storage costs accumulate until the documents are obtained.
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