TR CU certification (also commonly known as EAC certification or Customs Union certification) is a mandatory compliance requirement for products entering the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Think of TR CU certification as the "passport" for your goods to legally circulate and be sold in the EAEU market, which includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan.

Here is a comprehensive breakdown of what TR CU certification entails:

🔍 What does "TR CU" actually mean?

The terminology can be a bit confusing, but they all refer to the same system:

• TR CU (Technical Regulations of the Customs Union): This is the legal basis. It refers to the specific set of technical regulations (e.g., TR CU 004/2011 for Low Voltage, TR CU 020/2011 for EMC) that your product must comply with.

• EAC (Eurasian Conformity): This is the official name of the conformity mark. Once you pass the TR CU certification, you affix the EAC mark to your product.

• Customs Union Certification: The older, historical name, still widely used in trade documents.

📜 Two Main Types of TR CU Certification

Depending on the risk level of your product, the certification process falls into one of two categories:

📋 General Certification Process

1. Product Classification: Identify the correct HS code and determine which specific TR CU regulations apply to your product.

2. Appoint an EAEU Representative: A non-EAEU manufacturer (e.g., a Chinese factory) cannot be the certificate holder. You must appoint a legal entity registered within the EAEU (like an importer or an authorized representative) to act as the applicant and take legal responsibility.

3. Sample Testing: Send product samples to an EAEU-accredited laboratory for testing against the relevant safety and EMC standards.

4. Documentation & Audit: Submit technical files (manuals, drawings, risk assessments in Russian) to a certification body. For CoC, a factory audit may be conducted.

5. Issuance & Labeling: Once approved, the certificate or declaration is issued and registered in the official database. You can then affix the EAC mark to your products.

⚠️ Critical Updates for 2025-2026

If you are planning to export now, you must be aware of the latest strict enforcement rules:

• Mandatory Dynamic QR Code: Since July 2025, machinery and many other products must have an encrypted dynamic QR code on their nameplate. Customs will scan this to verify the certificate's authenticity in real-time. Products without it will be rejected at the border.

• Local Testing is Mandatory: Test reports from outside the EAEU (like standard CNAS reports) are generally not accepted on their own. Samples must be tested in an EAEU-accredited lab.

• Stricter Rules for Specific Goods:

• Self-propelled machinery: Must undergo the stricter CoC process starting from 2026.

• Cosmetics & Toys: Must be registered in the "Honest Sign" (Честный ЗНАК) tracking system with Data Matrix codes.

In short, obtaining TR CU (EAC) certification is not just about getting a piece of paper; it's a systematic compliance process that requires local representation and strict adherence to technical regulations.