Russian GOST R Certifications, Russian Hygienic Certifications, Russian Fire Safety Certifications, Russian RTN (Rostechnadzor) Approvals, Russian Ex-proof GOST R Certificates, Russian Type Approval

							GOST-R Certification
The Russian certification duty is comparable with the CE identification or with other international standards. As a result of the differences between European and Russian production and testing standards, the majority of goods that are exported to Russia need to be tested by an independent and accredited expert association for their conformity to Russian standards and requirements. Russian customs is the controlling body in the import of goods that have to be certified. Proof of conformity is issued in the form of a GOST-R certificate (GOST-R=conformity certificate). GOST certificates in the Russian Federation are a meaningful indication of quality which achieves a none too negligent advertising effect and leads to an increase in sales figures. Wholesalers and retailers as well as manufacturing companied in the Russian domestic market must show the certificates to clients and public inspectors on request. The Necessity for a GOST-R Certificate Not all products have to be certified, although the list of these products is continually updated. The following goods/product categories have an obligatory permit enforced:
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Food and packaging Machines, electronic equipment and plant engineering Building materials and raw materials Products to do with the oil, gas and chemicals industry Medical and cosmetic products Textiles etc.

In accordance with annual export volumes there are 2 basic types of conformity certification: Delivery Certificate (for one off delivery) This is for a defined delivery, referring to a certain contract (for instance an invoice), to a certain volume, to a certain purchaser (importer). This certificate is therefore particularly suitable for the occasional delivery of specific goods (equipment, machines etc). Series Certificate (for regular deliveries) This certificate warrants unrestricted export activity within a timeframe of up to 3 years and requires inspections/audits of the manufacturer’s production facilities with accredited experts and engineers in the field.

Hygiene Certification
The Hygiene Certificate (HC) is the second most common obligatory certificate and is required for products that have an impact on common welfare and the environment. The HC confirms conformity with the Russian sanitary, security and hygiene standards, which are governed by the consumer, employee and environmental protection laws. The HC is issued by ROSPOTREBNADZOR (formerly SANEPIDEMNADZOR), the Russian authorities for consumer protection, health care, hygiene and epidemiology. For this, detailed product descriptions, intended usage and samples need to be submitted to a ROSPOTREBNADZOR accredited laboratory. This certification is often the requirement needed in obtaining a GOST-R certificate. For products such as food this certification has even higher value that a GOST-R certificate. The Necessity for a Hygiene Certificate Similar to the GOST-R certificate, this document is controlled by the Russian authorities amongst others at the time of customs clearance. The hygiene certificate is needed for the following products:
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Food, drinks, food additives etc. Toys and sport equipment Wood products, furniture and packaging Equipment for the production of food and cosmetics, as well as materials that come into direct contact with the skin or contain substances that could be inhaled. (Chemicals, colours, cleaning products etc.) Industrial machines and facilities (noise, vibrations and electromagnetic radiation)

Hygiene certificates are issued for a period of 5 years and need to be obtained before a GOST-R certificate (if GOST-R is obligatory) can be granted.

Metrological Certificate
In order to be able to operate measurement devices in the Russian Federation a certificate is needed which is granted by the accredited testing laboratories of ROSTECHREGULIROVANIE (“Central Agency for technical Regulation und Metrology“). This also involves the measurement devices being included in the state register. The registration only takes place once, because measurement devices (as a result of an earlier registration process) needn’t be added to the register again. The recording in the state register can occur individually or by type. In the case of individual registration the certificate includes the exact serial number of the measurement

device and the certificate is valid for a maximum of 5 years. Measurement devices waiting to be approved must first undergo an initial obligatory calibration by Russian experts (meteorologists) before start-up and must be accordingly labelled.

The Necessity for a Metrological Certificate The following measurement devices are subject to obligatory testing and registration:
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Measurement devices for industrial use Measurement devices for weight and volume control For instruments relevant to safety at work Military measurement devices Measurement devices for sport

Fire Safety Certification
Obligatory certification for these products is necessary due to the strict requirements of the Russian authorities in regard to functional safety, as well as the flammability of materials and their physical reaction in the event of fire. The fire safety certificate proves adherence to Russian safety standards and is issued by accredited laboratories belonging to the “Ministry for Extraordinary Circumstances.” If the product demands an obligatory fire safety certificate, then this must be applied for before the GOST-R certificate can be obtained. The Necessity for Fire Safety Certification These certificates are often requested by the local authorities (i.e. during the certification of industrial facilities) and are scrutinized for their accuracy. Fire safety certificates are needed for the following products:
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Facilities for fire protection, fire fighting and for fire detection (i.e. fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire brigade hoses) Electrical and electro-technical products (cables, telephones, fridges etc.) Fire resistant products (i.e. fire doors, insulating materials, fire damper) Materials (plastics, floor covering, roofing material etc.) Construction materials (i.e. buildings material with fire protection function: cable and air chutes, doors, windows etc.)

RTN Start-Up Permit
Industrial goods that present a certain risk potential are subject in Russia to the supervision of the ROSTECHNADZOR, the “Federal Technical Industrial surveillance Authorities“, that approves the operation of facilities with risk potential. Licensed expert associations as well as state certified experts in this field are responsible for the RTN permit. The survey of facilities normally takes place by means of documentation and with a positive outcome these documents will then be submitted to ROSTECHNADZOR. Without the approval of the RTN neither operations may start, nor may a test run be carried out. The Necessity of a Start-Up Permit The following products demand a RTN permit:
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Hoisting devices (i.e. cranes) Freight elevator and lifts All kinds of equipment for mining, oil and metal processing industries Pressure tanks (i.e. air and gas compressors) Products and equipment that process, store and transport hazardous materials All kinds of explosion protection equipment Equipment for the production of cooling agents Heating systems (fuel or gas operated) etc. The above mentioned equipment deem an operational facility a risk facility, and all facility components built on a risk facility (i.e. a refinery) need to have a compulsory RTN permit. Before the RTN permit can be issued a GOST-R certificate needs to be obtained. Similar to the GOST-R certificate the RTN permit can be obtained for 5 years for one off deliveries or also for serial production. As with the GOST-R certification, inspections/audits of the manufacturer’s production facilities by Rostechnadzor and engineers in the field can be claimed. The processing time is at least 90 days.