The costs for the EAC certification and EAC declaration of products as well as the time required are increasing regularly. For example, costs can increase dramatically by more than twofold, even though the authorized representative, the certification body, the manufacturer and the testing laboratory have not changed. In order for the increase in time and cost not to come as an unpleasant surprise for the applicant/manufacturer, it is necessary to acknowledge and understand the reasons for such changes.
Reasons that influence the time and cost of EAC certification or EAC declaration can relate to the following aspects:
- Product requirements
- Procedures for conducting tests and selecting samples
- Requirements for the activity of accredited persons
- Requirements for accredited persons
Changes to product requirements
Such changes rarely occur, but have the most significant impact on the time and cost of EAC certification or EAC declaration. It is about the requirements for the products and the form of the confirmation of conformity. This usually happens in connection with the entry into force of new technical regulations and associated transitional provisions, which multiply the number of tests and inspections (and accordingly the time required).
After the entry into force of the technical regulations TR EAEU 037/2016 On restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment for washing machines, for example, it became necessary, in addition to the EAC certificate for the technical regulations TR CU 004/2011 On safety of low-voltage equipment and TR CU 020/2011 On electromagnetic compatibility to issue an additional EAC declaration in accordance with TR EAWU 037/2016. And after the entry into force of the technical regulation TR EAEU 048/2019 The requirements for the energy efficiency of energy-consuming devices, an EAC declaration according to TR EAWU 048/2019 must be issued for these washing machines.
Changes to testing process and sample selection
Each technical regulation has a list of standards with requirements for testing procedures and selection of samples, which are regularly updated. Sometimes some changes are introduced, which increases the cost: for example, the number of tests performed increases or the tests become more complex and extensive. This increases both the time and the cost of the EAC certificate or the EAC declaration.
Changes in the requirements for the activity of accredited persons
The changes in the requirements for the activities of accredited persons can also lead to an increase in the time and cost of issuing EAC certificates of conformity. For example, from July 3, 2020, laboratories must submit the results of the tests to the information system. In order to issue a certificate, it is not enough just to submit the protocols to the authority in the original, they must be entered into the information system. The new procedure requires the working time of the laboratory staff, which affects the time and cost of EAC certificates and EAC declarations.
Change in requirements for accredited persons
When the requirements for accredited persons change, this will entail a review of all existing accredited persons for compliance with their new requirements. During this review, the accreditation of some accredited persons may be suspended, which extends the duration of the certification. If accredited persons do not meet new requirements, their number on the market decreases (i.e. the supply on the market decreases), which inevitably leads to an increase in costs.
Possible solutions to this problem
- It is necessary to monitor all proposed changes and their potential impact on the time and cost of EAC certification.
- When it is necessary to issue the certificates of conformity for products, all phases of the time and cost must be completed as quickly as possible before the time and cost is increased.
- If a long time has passed since you received the offer, it is necessary to request its update, since the conditions have most likely changed.
We, Schmidt & Schmidt, provide timely information on our website about changes in technical regulations, tests and sampling as well as the activities of accredited persons. In addition, we always inform our customers about possible changes in conditions or prices.
