Two different purposes
Mandatory route
Requirements of law and the applicable regulation.
Additional objective
A specific property requested by the buyer.
Voluntary document
Evidence within the agreed scope only.
What it is used for
A customer request, a contract or a manufacturer’s wish to demonstrate a particular property may justify the work. Examples include coating resistance or material strength. Define both the measurable property and its assessment standard before starting. “High quality” alone is too vague to provide a verifiable outcome.
The certificate covers its stated object and requirements, not every conceivable property of the product. A buyer should examine the models, characteristics and standards within its scope rather than relying on the appearance of the document.
Why mandatory assessment remains separate
A voluntary document does not waive the statutory route for placing a product on the market. Where a technical regulation applies, its prescribed form and assessment scheme must be followed. Additional properties can be assessed voluntarily once the mandatory route has been established.
An HS code or a broad commercial name alone is insufficient. Intended use, composition, design and operating conditions matter. Products marketed under the same broad name may face different mandatory requirements.
What to confirm before committing
Ask for the proposed scope: product identification, models, selected requirements and expected output. Confirm whether the customer accepts that document and whether testing is needed. For a particular tender, check its requirements in advance; a certification system’s name does not guarantee acceptance.
A practical example
Example: an extra buyer requirement
A supplier has completed mandatory assessment, but an industrial buyer also requests proof that a coating withstands a specific environment. The parties first agree the property and test method. Voluntary certification may provide suitable evidence if the chosen system covers that task. The mandatory documents remain independent: one set addresses market-access requirements, while the other demonstrates the additional agreed property.
What to do next
Identify the product
Provide intended use, specifications, models and label photographs to separate legal requirements from additional customer preferences.
Agree the characteristic
Decide exactly what must be demonstrated and against which standard. Agree the scope with the buyer before testing.
Check the outcome
Match the issued document against the application and reports. Retain the evidence and a clear description of the verified properties.
What to watch for
“Voluntary” describes why the assessment is undertaken. It does not make the document a universal product approval or authorization to apply the EAC mark.
Official sources
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