Russia
 Law of the Russian Federation No. 184-FZ on Technical Regulating
Working with VNIIS, the Executive Board of the National Certification Body (NCB) GOST (State Committee for Standardization and Metrology) Re and GOSSTANDART of Russia, UL can locally test and evaluate electrical products to GOSSTANDART's requirements. This enables manufacturers to have the fastest access to the mandatory GOST R Mark for their products to the Russian market.
GOST R Certification
GOST R Certification requires safety testing (IEC standards) and EMC testing. UL will develop and submit a CB Scheme test report and certificate performed in accordance with the applicable standard. VNIIS will accept UL's test results performed in accordance with standards listed in the CB Bulletin, when VNIIS is adhering or recognizing the standards and when UL is adhering to the standards according to procedures under the CB Scheme.
The EMC testing and report should be conducted by UL or by an accredited EMC lab. If a testing lab other than UL has conducted the EMC tests, test results must be reviewed by UL, and a statement must be issued from UL. An EMC CB Scheme test report and certificate may also be accepted.
The GOST R Certificate that a manufacturer obtains through VNIIS/UL is valid for three years and a license to use the GOST R Mark, (it is mandatory to mark the products) is valid for one year. The license can be renewed through UL after the yearly inspection.
The following products are exempt from obtaining GOST Certification:
- Second-hand (used) products
- Products imported as spare parts for certified finished products earlier imported into the territory of the Russian Federation, provided that the copies of certificates of conformity for the earlier imported above mentioned finished products are presented and confirmation is made that these spare parts are used when making finished products and are included in design documentation for the product, and also obligations are presented that these spare parts will be used exclusively for completion of the above mentioned finished products or for their maintenance or repair
- Products imported as samples for testing with the purpose of certification
- Products imported by natural persons and not intended for production or other commercial activity (except for the cases of import over established quota by cost or amount)
- Products intended for official use by representatives of foreign states and international inter-governmental organizations and also for their personnel
Russian electrical safety standards, GOST, are based on International (IEC) standards. Products subject to mandatory electrical safety certification are also required to comply with the Russian Electromagnetic Safety (EMC) requirements. EMC certification is based on norms outlined in document RD 50-697-90 "Rules of certification of Technical Appliances to Meet the Demands of Electromagnetic Compatibility, and Accreditation of Testing Laboratories (or Centers) for Tests on Electromagnetic Compatibility" and in GOST 29037-91 "EMC certification testing." Now more than 60 EMC GOST standards are published in Russia. They set EMC requirements for products, testing, measurements and rules of EMC. Many standards are under consideration. Norms and requirements are based upon the work of the CISPR, IEC and Russian EMC.
Hygienic certificate
Products that could come in direct contact with food products (freezers, refrigerators, etc.) are required to have a hygienic certificate from the Russian Ministry of Health before a GOST R Certificate can be issued.
Field surveillance
Yearly factory inspections are required for the GOST R Mark and are normally performed by the Russian authorities. It is often a time-consuming and expensive procedure.
Under the agreement that UL has established, VNIIS Gost Re has agreed to accept inspections performed by UL, according to the CCA factory inspection system.
Special shipment requirements
A validated copy of the GOST R Certificate must be included with each shipment. When obtaining the GOST R Certificate through VNIIS, the applicant will need to specify the number of certificates they require.
Other requirements
A "Fire Safety" Certificate is required for a number of products including decorative lighting strings, household refrigerators and freezers, etc. VNIIS is an accredited laboratory within the Fire Safety Certification System, but the certificates can be issued based on Test Reports from Russian laboratories only. Therefore, all testing for fire safety must be conducted in Russia.
Law of the Russian Federation No. 15-FZ on Communications
The Russian Federation introduced the mandatory certification of telecommunications equipment in response to growing imports of low quality and incompatible products. The system was designed to ensure the equipment's interoperability with the Russian interconnected telecommunications networks (ITN). Certification is also designed to improve customer awareness of different product features and help consumers make informed purchasing decisions. The exiting certification procedures were designed to meet the various requirements of current legislation, including the laws on telecommunications, certification of products and services, consumer rights protection, competition and restriction on monopoly activities, licensing, standardization and measurement unity.
The fundamental law on Russian telecommunications is the Law of the Russian Federation No.15-FZ "On Communications." The law divides all forms of communications in the Russian Federation into two sub-categories: (1) "Electrical communications" which covers all data and voice transmission and (2) "Postal communications" which covers mail and money transfers. While the law is general in character, its implies that only the state may regulate radio frequencies and the orbital position of communications satellites. It also requires the regulating agencies, which it creates to promote fair competition, a policy that has not always been stringently followed.
Article 16 of the Law of the Russian Federation "On Communications" requires certification of telecommunications equipment to be performed by organizing a system of obligatory certification that establishes rules and procedures for:
- Organizing the certification process from filing an application to granting a certificate;
- Performing a series of tests for different telecommunications equipment in accordance with different programs and methodologies approved by the Certification Body, and granting a compliance certificate;
- Recognizing compliance certifications granted by certification authorities for homogeneous products of other countries or organizations.
The Ministry of Communication (MinCom) and Gosstandart are the two major agencies responsible for the licensing and certification activities of telecommunications equipment in Russia. MinCom is concerned with the product functionality and compatibility with the interconnected telecommunications network (ITN). Gosstandart's primary concern is product safety and compliance with Russia's consumer protections laws. If a product is not designed for use in a telecommunications network, it need only satisfy Gosstandart certification. Manufacturers exporting their products into Russia must obtain a license from MinCom and obtain a Certificate of Conformity from Gosstandart and affix the GOST R mark.
There are currently 15 different product groups of communications equipment that are subject to mandatory certification, which include the following:
- Table cable equipment
- Cables and communication wires
- Subscriber's terminal equipment
- Transmission systems
- Subscriber's radiotelephone distribution systems
- Automatic exchanges
- Mobile wireless communications equipment
- Telegraph equipment
- Data transmissions systems
- Wire broadcasting equipment
- Electric power supply equipment
- Satellite communication systems
- Antenna feeds
- Sound broadcasting equipment
- TV broadcasting equipment
At the present time, there are no implemented regulations for wireless access products (does not include GSM/GPRS/CDMA modems or handsets). It is believed that requirements will appear before the end of 2006.
The telecommunications standards are identified in the technical specifications for the ITN developed by the Ministry of Communications (MinCom) and the State Frequency Committee, as well as in the state and industry standards (GOSTs and OSTs) of the Russian Federation.
UL Services
Russia participates in the IECEE CB Scheme for a variety of different devices. A UL-issued CB report and certificate, including any national differences, would act as a conduit into this marketplace with regard to the safety specifications. Visit UL's CB Scheme Web site for details.
UL has an agreement with VNIIS (the Russian national testing and certification lab) that allows the certification process to run much faster and no product samples are required. GOST R Certification is mandatory for a wide range of products. This certification is based on safety testing (IEC standards with Russian deviations) and EMC testing, and is required for products that come in contact with food.
Market Access Solutions offers a comprehensive Intermediate Applicant Program that will benefit manufacturers in obtaining Russia's Marks. Learn more about our Intermediate Applicant Service.
For more information
Should you have questions about UL's Market Access Solutions in Russia, require additional information, or wish to pursue any of these services, please contact us.
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