From Gost R Standard to Technical Regulations TR

The agreement on technical barriers to trade of the WTO defines two particular type of tools that states can use for the purposes of protecting consumers and the environment technical regulations and standards. The authorities of the Russian Federation, pursuing the objective of harmonizing its legislation with international ones and especially the European, have begun to change Gost standards to Technical regulations.

On January 1st 1995, almost three years since the first application for admission of the newly formed Russian Federation to the GATT agreement, the first widely accepted multilateral agreement to regulate a particular type of non-tariff barrier to free trade, came into effect: the agreement TBT or agreement on technical barriers to trade.

As mentioned, the TBT Agreement deals with defining the regulatory framework for measures that the various signatory states may take in the protection of consumers and the environment on a technical level. Especially with the aim of making these legislation harmonics with the international free trade.

Role and the practical use of technical compliance, which from a commercial point of view are easily categorized as barriers, are undoubtedly important and complex. For this reason this agreement was rarely used before the dispute settlement body in order to settle a controversy between states on this matter.

The agreement defines two particular types of tools that states can use for the purposes listed above: technical regulations and standards, both are normative documents, which contain requirements for the use of subject treated, both shall establish guidelines for the manufacturer, the exporter, the agent or distributor in relation to a wide range of productions. The main difference between the two documents is that the technical regulation is binding for all productions subject to it, while respecting the standard remains at the discretion of the manufacturer.

Taking two simple examples: while the production and sale of hairspray is subjected to technical regulations on gas emissions, therefore it is forbidden to use "greenhouse gases", electrical outlets are subject to standard regarding type and size, this means that sales of other types different from the standard bathing is not prohibited, despite the standard contains precise parameters, applicable and useful.

The authorities of the Russian Federation, pursuing the objective of harmonizing its legislation with international ones and especially the European, since 2008 have begun to change with increasing speed parts of the famous standards GOST R the most modern TR Technical Regulations.

The legislation of the Russian standard certifications is rapidly evolving in the direction suggested by international agreements, the standard GOST R, which in contrast to what was seen previously, it may be mandatory and therefore binding for producers, is in an intense period of redefinition that has already resulted in nearly twenty product categories to be transferred under the aegis of the new technical regulations.

The Technical Regulations, sometimes represented by the letters TR, by the Russian authorities are considered so significant that they can get to replace the special permission of Rostekhnadzor for hazardous situations.

Technical regulations involve sensitive areas for both the Russian economy and foreign exports. These documents regulate the certification of for example milk, cheese and other dairy products, animal fats and vegetables such as oil and butter, building materials, fruit juices and vegetables juices, production of machinery, etc. ...

The acceleration of activities predict a replacement of GOST R to TR increasingly rapid and regular, in connection with the forthcoming entry into the WTO.

Gost and other russian certificate for domestic appliances

A new page dedicated to the GOST certification for domestic appliances has been added to the site Gost Russia. The page is taken from an article in the Italian version of this blog a few weeks ago about Gost certificate for domestic appliaces.

Gost Russia for Cement

A new page dedicated to the GOST certification for cement  has been added to the site Gost Russia. The page is taken from an article in the Italian version of this blog a few weeks ago about Gost certificate for cement.

Gost R certification, food and exports to Russia

A new page dedicated to the GOST certification for food has been added to the site Gost Russia. The page is taken from an article in the Italian version of this blog a few weeks ago about Gost certificate for food.

Declaration of conformity Gost R, Sanitary certificate of Custom Union and export of wine to Russia

In the figure, it is possible to observe how the wine exports to Russia between 2007 and 2010, are extensive and come from many countries. For this reason it is essential that producers-exporters worldwide were aware of what are the steps needed to export wine to Russia.
Since this is a blog dedicated to the GOST R for Russia is obviously in our interest to focus on the certification system in force for trading wine (like any other drink containing alcohol). First it is necessary to specify that the required certificates for wine, wine products and other alcoholic beverages are not discriminative measures of the Russian Federation with the aim of hindering the import of not domestic products, but are directed to any product that aims to end up on the shelves of Russian stores.

Two certification process should be dealt with: the first is obtaining the declaration of conformity GOST R and the subsequent registration of the alcoholic  products  in the Russian Federation in accordance with federal law. This phase is relatively simple, are usually required one or two days, and its validity that may vary, according to the customer requirements, from single delivery and 5 years.
The second phase of certification instead is more laborious and costly it is to obtain the Health certification EurAsEC Customs Union. As already discussed on this blog before, the health certificate EurAsEc has a validity that extends beyond Russia, also to Kazakhstan and Belarus and above all is not burdened by expiry as it does GOST certificates for Russia in general.
The Health Certification of the Union includes a series of tests and inspections directly to products and packaging with the aim of ensuring security and clarity for consumers.

Gost R and Russian regulation for forniture

The certification for furniture, as regard to the mandatory Gost standard fortrade in Russia, implies the presence of different types of possible documents. First, it is mandatory, the presence of the declaration of conformity with characteristics of which it has already been written in the post on the GOST R certification for clothing on sale in Russia, in conjunction with this, you can request the certificate GOST R volunteer with the task to provide to these products further proof of quality and safety.

At the moment, we find the difference most marked among the office furniture, for which is available only voluntary Gost R certificate, and all other types of furniture which, in addition to voluntary GOSTR certification, as stated above, shall face the procedures for obtaining the several times mentioned declaration of conformity.
The furniture used in residential and public, will be subjected to the tests necessary to verify the compliance of the requirementsof GOST 16371-93 GOST19917-93 and while the furniture designed to the areas of education (schools, libraries and universities ) must demonstrate compliance to the standard according to the requirements listed in the GOST 22046-89, GOST 19917-93and GOST 16371.

The certificate of conformity GOST R volunteer is available for a maximum period of 3 years. While the declaration of conformity can be requested for a maximum period of 5 years.
Another group of furniture, of smaller entities, however, is that to which belong all products intended for use in structures that require high standards of hygiene and health such as: hospitals, laboratories and food processing areas . In this case, the sanitary certificate (ex-Russian hygienic certificate) of the customs union EurAsEC (Russia, Kazakhstan and Belarus) is necessary, which must then be issued to the appropriate test from Rospotrebnadzor. The sanitary certificate has the fortunate characteristic of having no expiration limit as all other certificates in Russia and to be valid throughout the union.
The last small group of furniture is to be noted in the furniture designed specifically for children, for them, the requirements of the certificate of conformity GOST R is not only voluntary but a Gost certificate is required.

The mandatory and voluntary certification GOST R for clothing and accessories

One of the products more exported to Russia is definitely clothing in this regard a detailed regulation is in force within the Russian Federation, created to guarantee safety and quality of clothes and clothing accessories in circulation on its market .This article will give you the basic knowledge to be able to orientate in this passage for the export of yourproducts to Russia.

• The certification for clothing in Russia:
• The mandatoryand voluntary certification GOST R forclothing and accessories,
• The declaration and registration of clothes,
• The certification tests and how to obtain certification according to the GOST standard system.

Russian certification for clothing: the procedures for obtaining a certificate of conformity GOST R for Russia for the various types of clothing are divided between clothing for adults and children's clothing.
Originally certification for adult clothing was subject to the procedural regime of conformity compulsory GOST, but today certain types of clothes for adults require the declaration of conformity GOST. Among these we have sewed clothes for men and women, coats and suits, knitwear, linen and bathing suits, stockings and tights, scarves and hats, gloves and fur. Accessories are subject to certificate of compliance in different forms, as determined by the relevant measure of the Government of the Russian Federation.
GOST R Declaration of Conformity: This document establishes the conformity of a product with the requirements of the regulations. It differs little in effect from the certificate of conformity, is a declarative instrument and legally binding. If you prefer, you can, together with the declaration, apply for a certificate of conformity GOST R depending on the voluntary willingness of the manufacturer or importer. During the inspection of sales of the commercial organization by the supervisory authorities, the presence of certification on clothing is tightly controlled. At the time of importation of clothes within the boundaries of Russian customs, it is obligatory to show the declaration of conformity GOST R.

Mandatory or voluntary the certification for clothing is carried out following the same procedures, with the only difference of the document issued. The information, description of production and safe limits for certificate anddeclaration GOST Standard are the same. At the base of issue of the conformity and the declaration we find the testing protocol performed at anaccredited test laboratory, the documents proving the harmlessness of the production and documentation provided by the manufacturer. An important clarification is due, what distinguishes the Declaration of conformity from the other GOST R certificates, is that the first in fact can only be achieved on the basis of request made by a person registered in the Russian Federation, is therefore notpossible for a person foreigner (whether natural or legal person) require the issuance of the declaration in autonomy for their products.

They were in fact in general the Russian importers to request the declaration in place of the manufacturer and then deliver it allowing him to use it even in subsequent occasions. This pattern of work is no longer possible and every importer must request the declaration of conformity of the goods regardless of whether the Gost declaration had been issued for another client, but for the same manufacturer.
Certification "Gost standards" is required for clothing designed for children: the certification for children's clothing is a mandatory conformity GOST R. In order to be able to circulate in the Russian market all types of clothing for children must have a certificate of conformity and in addition they must pass the tests carried out by the sanitary-epidemiological experts of Rospotrebnadzor, which until 30 June2010 gave the certificate of compliance with sanitation regulation and that now is included in the legislation of the sanitary certificate of the customs union. Clothing will be subject to more complex procedures in case they are underwear, hosiery and hats for the summer, and will be subject to a simple report in other cases.

The law provides several options for obtaining the certificate of conformity GOSTR for clothing children, the certificate can be issued to the producer or thecustomer. The maximum duration of certification is 3 years.


The procedures for verification of compliance, both for the statement that the certificate include:

• Laboratory tests on samples of production
• Examination of documents submitted by the applicant
• Direct issuance of the certificate of conformity or declaration of conformity

For the calculation of labor costs associated with certification of clothes youshould consider:

• List of products include the indication of the raw materials used to manufacture
• Following the agreement on price and volume of work certificate for clothing, you select the samples for testing
• Samples of the product once selected, are sent to the laboratory accredited for the tests laid down by law
• The testing protocol is completed and becomes the basis for issuing the requested certificate.