BUILDING A BRIDGE TO RUSSIA

Trading with Russia: is it possible?

Trading is easy when you know your partner. However, when it is your first time and you do not have any previous experience, this can be more difficult. This is true when you start relationships with a country like Russia, that has been locked away for two thirds of a century.

When you trade with Russia you will immediately realise that it is very different from trading with any other nation. Apart from the vast dimensions and huge potential in the country, 70 years of living behind the iron curtain has created specific trading relationships and legal requirements. This concerns the Russian Government's attitude to ensuring safety of the Russian citizens. The Government created a complex, but strictly operating system of verifying product quality and safety and of ensuring that only products which conform to the Russian requirements may enter the country. The great difficulty is that the Russian certification system is unique and differs from well-known European and International comparisons. If you plan to trade with Russia, you should know and understand the Russian requirements for certification.

Russian certification: what you should know

As a properly accredited certification body, SGS daily receives hundreds of questions on the Russian certification and on what is required to export the goods to Russia. The most frequently asked questions could be summarised as follows:

╥ Why should I need the Russian certification?

More than 60% of all products require mandatory Russian certification. It means that if your product is within this 60%, you will not be able to ship your goods through the customs border or sell them to a Russian buyer without presenting the Russian Certificate of Conformity. Also, it is illegal to advertise these products within Russia, if they are not certified. Finally, Certificates of Conformity are a powerful marketing tool, which are used to capture the Russian Customer.

╥ My products are well-known throughout the world and their safety is obvious, why should I still require the Russian certificate?

Russia is a unique country and has unique requirements to safety. For example, the requirements for EMC testing in Russia are significantly different from the International ones. Another example, toxicological testing of cosmetics requires mandatory testing on live animals. Therefore, your product should conform to the Russian standards which are different and mostly not harmonised with the European or International standards. CE self-declaration is not recognised in Russia and cannot replace the Russian Certificate of Conformity.

╥ What kind of products require mandatory Russian certification?

Basically, almost all consumer products require the mandatory certification. It is impossible to list all product positions since the list is too long. In brief, it includes all food products, products for children, perfume and cosmetics, tableware and kitchenware, packaging materials, household and industrial equipment, etc.

╥ How could I find out whether my product requires the Russian certification?

Every Customs House has a list of products subject to mandatory certification. It could be obtained from any certification body that is accredited to carry out the Russian certification. Also, your Russian consignees could advise you.

╥ What is a Certificate of Conformity?

Certificate of Conformity (CoC) can only be issued by a Gosstandart accredited body, it confirms that the product conforms to certain Russian standards. The certificate is in Russian.

╥ What is Gosstandart?

Gosstandart is the Russian State Committee for Standardisation, Metrology and Certification. It controls the Russian certification system and accredits organisations to act on its behalf to issue the CoCs.

╥ Who could issue a CoC for my products?

There are more than 800 certification bodies existing in Russian but less than 10 are operating abroad.

╥ What should I do to obtain the CoC?

The best way would be to contact the nearest certification body, where you will be given the exact guidance relating to your specific product. Issuing the CoC may necessitate obtaining permissions from other Russian authorities. This can be done through the certification body.

╥ Could I obtain the CoC in the UK?

Yes, you can obtain the Russian Certificate of Conformity through SGS United Kingdom, which is the only Gosstandart accredited certification body in Great Britain.

SGS: Facilitating International Trade

The strength of SGS lies in its network of experts. Our unique and global service provides assistance to clients all over the world, with specialist offices in the major countries of the world. Through numerous liason offices, SGS can obtain regular updates on changes in trade regulations.

SGS GOST UK operates to the advantage of the UK exporter. We have a dedicated team of experts specialising in Industrial / Mechanical / Electrical Goods and Consumer Products, such as Food / Toys / Cosmetics / Textiles. We operate in English and provide literature and data in English. SGS UK laboratories are accredited by Gosstandart of Russia, and are capable of testing a wide range of products to enable us to evaluate whether goods comply to the Russian state standards.

SGS GOST UK works closely with our liason office in Moscow, which regularly updates us on new changes to requirements. It can also provide additional support to the client on arrival of the goods in Russia. Our liason office in Moscow can provide excellent support services to the receivers of your goods, providing assistance in cases where there are problems clearing goods at customs border. They can also provide assistance during sale of goods, and they can provide clarification from Gosstandart of Russia when rules on certification are unclear.

10 reasons why Exporters benefit from using SGS GOST UK

• We are the only Gosstandart accredited certification body in the UK
• We speak your language
• We can save you money by carrying out most testing in Great Britain
• We can assign our own experts to audit your company
• We are experienced in both Russian requirements and British / International production standards
• We guarantee completion of the certification in agreed time
• We will help you obtain any other permissions / approvals required for certification
• We are flexible and customer-oriented. We will discuss and offer you the best certification schedule reflecting your needs and capabilities
• We provide you with assistance and support of our Russian offices
• We are friendly and we like to solve your problems!

SGS truly understands the aim of building a bridge and bringing together the British Exporter and the Russian Customer. SGS GOST procedures are developed to conform to the Gosstandart requirements on the one hand and to be user-friendly for the British Exporter on the other. We are facilitating International trade and giving you an opportunity to develop your trade with Russia.

GOST Department
SGS United Kingdom Limited
217-221 London Road
Camberley, Surrey, GU15 3EY

Tel: 01276 697890
Fax: 01276 697888

E-mail: sergey_putintsev@sgsgroup.com