EU Declaration of Conformity
Definition
The EU declaration of conformity is the document by which the manufacturer states, on its sole responsibility, that the applicable requirements of Union harmonisation legislation have been fulfilled for an identified product.
Expanded Explanation
The declaration identifies the product, lists the Union legislation it satisfies, references the standards or specifications applied, names any notified body involved, and is signed on behalf of the manufacturer. Under Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 its content follows Annex V, and drawing it up means the manufacturer assumes responsibility for the product’s compliance with the ecodesign requirements that apply.
Where several Union acts apply to the same product, a single declaration covering all of them is normally drawn up so that authorities receive one document rather than several.
The declaration is a statement, not evidence. Its credibility rests entirely on the technical documentation and the conformity assessment behind it.
Why It Matters
Signing the declaration is the moment legal responsibility crystallises around a named legal person. That is why the roles that may sign it, and the internal approvals that must precede it, belong in the governance model rather than in a document template.
Legal and Regulatory Context
Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, Article 44 and Annex V, alongside Decision No 768/2008/EC, which establishes the common framework for conformity assessment modules and declarations in EU product law.
Relationship to Adjacent Concepts
The declaration follows the conformity assessment and rests on the technical documentation. Where a product-specific measure requires it, selected declaration content may also surface in the Digital Product Passport.
Common Misconceptions
It is issued by the manufacturer. A certificate from a notified body is a different document with a different author and a narrower scope.
Related Terms
- Technical Documentation
- Conformity Assessment
- Notified Body
- Presumption of Conformity
- Harmonised Standard
Related Knowledge Base Articles
- How Conformity Assessment Works for Digital Product Passports
- Who Is Legally Responsible for a Digital Product Passport?
Related Articles
- Conformity Assessment
- Harmonised Standard
- Notified Body
- Presumption of Conformity
- Technical Documentation
- Authorised Representative
- Corrective Action
- Market Surveillance
See Also
References
- Regulation (EU) 2024/1781, Article 44 and Annex V: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1781/oj
- Decision No 768/2008/EC on a common framework for the marketing of products: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dec/2008/768/oj
About This Article
tieback Knowledge is a continuously maintained reference library covering Digital Product Passports, product traceability, product compliance and related regulations. Articles are reviewed regularly as legislation, standards and implementation guidance evolve.