The Declaration of Conformity : Significance, Components, and Legalization Process
The Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is a document issued by a manufacturer or
supplier that confirms that a product meets specific
regulatory requirements and standards. It is often used in the context of European Union (EU)
regulations, particularly for products that must comply with directives such as the
Machinery Directive, Low Voltage Directive, or the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive.
Key components of a Declaration of Conformity typically include:
Manufacturer's Information: Name and address of the manufacturer or authorized representative.
Product Identification: Details about the product, including model number and description.
Applicable Directives and Standards: References to the specific EU directives and harmonized
standards that the product complies with.
Date of Issue: The date when the declaration is issued.
Signature: Signature of a responsible person, usually from the manufacturer.
The DoC serves as a legal document that demonstrates the product's compliance with safety and
environmental regulations, allowing it to be sold in the EU market.
Legalizing a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) involves a series of steps to ensure that the
document is recognized in another country. Here’s a general outline of the process:
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Declaration of Conformity (DoC) Document Legalization
Steps for Legalizing a Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
Obtain the DoC:
Ensure the DoC is issued by an accredited organization that is recognized in the target country.
Notarization (if required):
Some countries may require the DoC to be notarized by a public notary to confirm its authenticity
before further legalization.
Authentication by Relevant Authority:
Submit the DoC to the appropriate national or governmental authority in the country of issuance for
authentication. This could be:
The Secretary of State (in the U.S.)
A similar authority in other countries responsible for document verification.
Apostille (if applicable)::
If the target country is a member of the Hague Apostille Convention, you can
obtain an apostille from the appropriate authority (like the Secretary of State in the U.S.)
instead of going through the full legalization process.
An apostille verifies the authenticity of the signature and seal on the DoC.
Embassy or Consulate Legalization:
If the target country is not a member of the Hague Convention, you will need to
have the DoC legalized by the embassy or consulate of that country. This typically involves:
Here’s a list of regions and countries that typically require a Declaration of Conformity
(DoC) or similar documents, along with the names of those documents:
European Union
EU Member States: Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
United Kingdom
United Kingdom: UK Declaration of Conformity
Other Countries/Regions
Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein: Declaration of Conformity (DoC), as part of the European Economic Area (EEA)
Switzerland: Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for certain products, though specific requirements may vary.
Turkey: Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for CE-marked products.
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC): Certificate of Conformity (CoC) required for certain products in countries
like:
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Kuwait
Qatar
Oman
Bahrain
Russia: Certificate of Conformity (GOST-R) for specific products.
Ukraine: Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for certain categories of goods.
Australia: Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for products requiring compliance with specific standards.
New Zealand: Compliance documents are required for electrical and other regulated products.
India: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification may be required for certain products.
In addition to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) or similar documents, many countries may also require other
certifications or compliance marks, depending on the product type. Here's a breakdown:
Countries Requiring Additional Certifications
1. European Union
ISO Certification: While not mandatory for all products, ISO certifications (like ISO 9001 for quality
management) can enhance marketability and are often required for specific industries.
TÜV Certification: Common for products requiring safety testing, particularly in electronics and machinery.
2. United Kingdom
ISO Certifications: Similar to the EU, ISO certifications may be required for certain industries.
UKCA Mark: For products placed on the UK market post-Brexit.
3. Turkey
ISO Certifications: May be required for compliance with specific industry standards.
TÜV Certification: Common for various product types.
4. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
G-Mark: Certain products require this Gulf mark for safety and compliance.
ISO Certifications: Often necessary for companies aiming for quality assurance.
5. Russia
GOST Certification: Required for many products; this certification often covers safety and compliance with
standards.
ISO Certifications: Can be beneficial for quality assurance.
6. India
BIS Certification: Required for specific products, especially electrical and electronic items.
ISO Certifications: Helpful but not mandatory for all products.
7. Australia and New Zealand
Electrical Safety Certification: Required for electrical products.
ISO Certifications: Can be advantageous for quality assurance.
Here's a list of notable organizations and certification bodies in the USA that issue certificates of conformity
or similar compliance certifications across various industries:
Testing and Certification Bodies
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Intertek (ETL)
TÜV Rheinland
TÜV SÜD
SGS
CSA Group (Canadian Standards Association)
Bureau Veritas
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL)
FM Approvals
Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Testing Labs
Industry-Specific Certification Organizations
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
American Medical Association (AMA)
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
Environmental and Sustainability Certifications
Environmental Protection Agency (ΕΡΑ)
Green Seal
Energy Star Program
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
Automotive and Transportation Certifications
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Telecommunications Certifications
Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Telecommunication Certification Body (TCB)
Construction and Building Standards
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
International Code Council (ICC)
Product-Specific Certifications
American Society for Quality (ASQ)
National Sanitation Foundation (NSF)
Water Quality Association (WQA)
American Chemical Society (ACS)
The Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
Miscellaneous Certification Bodies
The Robotics Industries Association (RIA)
The Association of American Railroads (AAR)
National Association of Manufacturers (NAM)
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
American Petroleum Institute (API)
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Here's a list of notable accreditation bodies from around the world:
International Accreditation Bodies
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
International Accreditation Forum (IAF)
National Accreditation Bodies
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) - USA
Deutsche Akkreditierungsstelle (DAkkS) - Germany
United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) - UK
National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) - India
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) - USA
Canadian Standards Association (CSA) - Canada
Accreditation Canada - Canada
Singapore Accreditation Council (SAC) - Singapore
National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) - Australia
South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) - South Africa
Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) - USA
National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) - USA
Regional Accreditation Bodies
European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) - Europe
Pacific Accreditation Cooperation (PAC) - Asia-Pacific region
Arab Accreditation Cooperation (ARAC) - Arab countries
Industry-Specific Accreditation Bodies
Joint Commission International (JCI) - Healthcare
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) - Laboratories
American Society for Quality (ASQ) - Quality management
Organizations Issuing Certificates of Conformity (CoC)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Provides safety testing and certification for a wide range of products, including electrical devices
and consumer goods.
Intertek
Offers testing, inspection, and certification services across various industries, including
textiles, electronics, and food safety.
TÜV Rheinland
Specializes in testing and certification for products in sectors like automotive, electronics, and
healthcare, ensuring compliance with international standards.
TÜV SÜD
Provides certification services for industrial products, medical devices, and management systems,
focusing on safety and quality assurance.
SGS
A global leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification across numerous sectors,
including agriculture, consumer products, and industrial.
Bureau Veritas
Offers comprehensive testing, inspection, and certification services in various industries,
including construction, marine, and quality management.
Canadian Standards Association (CSA Group)
Issues CoCs for compliance with safety and performance standards, particularly in electrical and
environmental sectors.
FM Approvals
Specializes in fire safety and loss prevention certification for various products and services,
ensuring they meet industry standards.
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTL)
Organizations accredited by OSHA to test and certify products for safety, particularly electrical
and mechanical devices.
Accredited Standards Committees (ASC)
Various committees that develop standards and provide certification for compliance in specific
industries.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Facilitates the accreditation of organizations that issue CoCs based on voluntary consensus
standards across multiple sectors.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Provides certification related to measurement standards and compliance, supporting various
industries.
Environmental Protection Agency (ΕΡΑ)
Issues certifications for environmental compliance and safety, particularly related to products
affecting air and water quality.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Provides certifications for medical devices and food products, ensuring safety and efficacy for
public health.
Water Quality Association (WQA)
Issues CoCs for water treatment products that meet specific safety and performance standards,
promoting safe drinking water.
Regal Certification
Offers testing, inspection, and certification services, including issuing Certificates of Conformity
for a variety of products.
QAI (Quality Assurance International)
Provides certification services for food products, particularly organic and sustainability
certifications.
SCS Global Services
Offers services for certification, testing, and verification of products and practices related to
sustainability and environmental responsibility.