What is the declaration of conformity?

The declaration of conformity is a document in which the manufacturer declares that the product is compliant with the CRA, and assumes responsibility for that.

The declaration of conformity must accompany the product placed on the market. Two formats are allowed:

• The full declaration of conformity, following the template laid down in Annex V.
• A simplified declaration of conformity, which is a sentence whose template is laid down in Annex VI and that includes the internet address where the full declaration of conformity can be accessed.

The declaration of conformity is a document linked to the individual product and not only to the type or model. In this regard, it is not needed that it includes the unique identifier of the product. Nevertheless, a new version of the product might need a new declaration of conformity, especially when it implements a substantial modification.

The declaration of conformity cannot be signed if the manufacturer has not performed one of the relevant conformity assessment procedures, with a positive result.

In accordance with Article 28(3) and as stated in section 4.4 of the Blue Guide, where several pieces of Union harmonisation legislation apply to a product, the manufacturer or the authorised representative has to provide a single declaration of conformity in respect of all such Union acts. In order to reduce the administrative burden on economic operators and facilitate its adaptation to the modification of one of the applicable Union acts, the single declaration may be a dossier made up of relevant individual Declarations of conformity.