EAC Ex Certification for the Eurasian Economic Union (TR CU 012/2011)
Equipment for explosive atmospheres sold in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) must hold a certificate of conformity to technical regulation TR CU 012/2011 (in Russian TR TS 012/2011) and carry the EAC mark and the EAEU Ex mark. Self-declaration is not allowed. The certificate is issued by a certification body in the EAEU unified register, on the basis of tests in an accredited EAEU laboratory, and the applicant must be a company registered in a member state. An ATEX or IECEx certificate does not replace it.
Member states and scope
The EAEU members are Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. TR CU 012/2011 "On safety of equipment for work in explosive atmospheres" was adopted by Decision No. 825 of the Customs Union Commission of 18 October 2011 and has applied since 15 February 2013. One certificate covers the whole union.
It covers electrical equipment (including Ex components) and non-electrical equipment for explosive atmospheres. Article 1 treats as in scope any equipment whose technical documentation specifies means of explosion protection and which carries an explosion-protection marking. Exclusions listed in Article 1 include medical devices, personal protective equipment, household equipment where an explosive atmosphere can only form through an unforeseen gas leak, public transport vehicles, and ships, mobile offshore units and drilling platforms together with the machinery used on them. Offshore and marine equipment therefore needs a separate check of which rules apply.
Certification procedure
Article 6 makes conformity assessment mandatory and in the form of certification. It sets three schemes:
| Scheme | Use | What it involves | Certificate validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1с | Series production | Type testing in an accredited laboratory, analysis of the manufacturer's production, then surveillance (inspection control) for the life of the certificate | Up to 5 years |
| 3с | Limited batch | Testing of samples from the batch | No term set (covers the batch) |
| 4с | Single unit | Testing of the unit | No term set (covers the unit) |
The applicant supplies a document set: technical specification (if any), operating documentation, the list of standards applied, an explanatory note describing the technical solutions and risk assessment where standards were not applied, the quality management system certificate (if any) and, for a batch, the supply contract. The certification body identifies the product, arranges tests, reviews the test reports and, for scheme 1с, analyzes production. Where the manufacturer has a certified quality management system, the body assesses whether that system can ensure stable production. Production analysis is not carried out for batch or single-unit certification. The regulation allows tests at the place of manufacture or installation where the design requires it.
Design changes that affect explosion safety must be reported to the certification body, which reviews the documentation and may require additional tests, then either confirms the certificate or issues a new one. The manufacturer (or its authorized person) keeps the document set for at least 10 years after production ends.
Applicant: who can hold the certificate
For series certification (scheme 1с), Article 6(4) allows the applicant to be a legal entity or individual entrepreneur registered in a member state that is either the manufacturer or a person performing the functions of a foreign manufacturer under a contract with it, covering both conformity of supplied products and responsibility for non-conformity. For schemes 3с and 4с a registered seller may also apply. A manufacturer based outside the EAEU therefore needs a contracted, registered entity in the union.
Certification bodies and laboratories
Certification must be carried out by accredited certification bodies and testing laboratories included in the Unified Register of certification bodies and testing laboratories of the Customs Union (EAEU). A body accredited in one member state and included in the unified register can certify for the whole union market. Check the body's accreditation scope (product types and standards) before applying.
Use of IECEx and ATEX results
Russia participates in IECEx through its member body (the Russian Standardization Institute); Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan are not listed as IECEx members. TR CU 012/2011 has no provision that accepts an IECEx Certificate of Conformity or an ATEX certificate in place of EAEU certification, and it requires testing in an accredited laboratory on the unified register. Because the GOST standards are identical or modified adoptions of IEC 60079 parts, an existing IECEx test report (ExTR) and technical file are a useful basis for the application and test plan. How far a body relies on them is its decision.
Standards: GOST 31610 and GOST IEC 60079
Presumption of conformity comes from the list of standards approved by Decision No. 158 of the EEC Collegium of 1 December 2020 (amended by Decision No. 182 of 22 November 2022). The list uses interstate standards, most of them adoptions of IEC and ISO/IEC standards, for example:
- GOST 31610.0-2019 (IEC 60079-0:2017): general requirements
- GOST IEC 60079-1-2013: flameproof enclosures "d"
- GOST 31610.7-2017 (IEC 60079-7:2015): increased safety "e"
- GOST 31610.11-2014 (IEC 60079-11:2011): intrinsic safety "i"
The list is updated over time. Earlier editions (for example GOST 31610.0-2014) had transition dates, so check the current list and the edition your certification body will test against, especially if your IECEx certificate is to a newer IEC edition. See Standards for the IEC 60079 parts.
Marking
Article 4(7) requires the equipment marking to include:
- manufacturer's name or registered trademark
- equipment type designation
- serial number
- certificate of conformity number
- the explosion-protection marking, including the special explosion-safety mark
The special explosion-safety mark (Appendix 2) is the stylized letters "Ex" inscribed in a rectangle, with a base height of at least 10 mm. It is not the EU hexagon. Article 7 requires the EAC single circulation mark on each unit, and in the accompanying documentation; if the design does not allow it, the EAC mark may go on the packaging and documentation only. Marking and documentation must be in Russian, and also in the state language(s) of a member state where its legislation requires. A typical plate therefore carries an IEC-style code such as
1Ex db IIB T4 Gb Xplus the Ex rectangle, the EAC mark and the certificate number. EAEU markings commonly start with a digit for the level of explosion protection (0Ex, 1Ex, 2Ex), which is not used in IEC or ATEX markings. The exact format comes from the applicable GOST standard, so confirm it with the certification body. See Ex markings explained for the IEC elements.
Trade restrictions
Separate from technical certification, EU, UK, US and other sanctions and export controls restrict the supply of many industrial goods to Russia and Belarus. Companies subject to those regimes should check them before quoting or shipping. This page covers only the technical regulation.
Checklist for exporters
- Confirm the product is in scope (and not in an excluded category such as marine or offshore units).
- Appoint a registered entity in a member state to act as applicant (manufacturer's representative under contract, or seller for batch certificates).
- Choose a certification body and laboratory in the unified register; agree on the scheme (1с, 3с or 4с) and standards editions.
- Prepare the technical file in Russian, including the explanatory note, drawings of explosion-protection means and operating documents.
- Plan for production analysis and surveillance under scheme 1с, and for re-certification before the certificate expires.
Rules and standard lists change; confirm the current requirements with an accredited EAEU certification body. For other countries see Ex certification schemes by country.
Frequently asked questions
Is ATEX or IECEx accepted in Russia and Kazakhstan?
No. Equipment for explosive atmospheres placed on the EAEU market needs a certificate of conformity to TR CU 012/2011 from a certification body in the EAEU unified register. IECEx test reports can support the application but do not replace testing in an accredited EAEU laboratory.
Can a foreign manufacturer hold an EAC Ex certificate?
Not directly. The applicant must be a legal entity or individual entrepreneur registered in a member state: the manufacturer, a person performing the functions of the foreign manufacturer under contract, or (for batch and single-unit certificates) a seller.
How long is an EAC Ex certificate valid?
A certificate for series production (scheme 1с) is valid for up to 5 years with surveillance. Certificates for a batch (3с) or single unit (4с) have no set term and cover only that batch or unit.
Can EAC Ex equipment be self-declared?
No. TR CU 012/2011 Article 6 requires certification for all equipment in scope; a declaration of conformity is not an option.
What does the EAC Ex mark look like?
The TR CU special explosion-safety mark is the letters Ex inside a rectangle, at least 10 mm high, shown with the explosion-protection marking. The EAC mark and certificate number are applied as well.
Sources
- Eurasian Economic Commission: TR CU 012/2011 text as adopted by Decision No. 825 of 18 October 2011 (PDF, Russian)
- Eurasian Economic Commission: TR CU 012/2011 page (entry into force, standard lists)
- Eurasian Economic Union: official site (member states)
- Rosstandart (FGIS): list of standards for TR CU 012/2011
- IECEx: Member countries
- European Commission: Sanctions adopted following Russia's military aggression against Ukraine