Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
The EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is the final legal milestone in the CE marking process. It is a formal statement in which the manufacturer declares sole responsibility for the product's compliance with applicable EU legislation. Without this document, Placing on the Market in Europe is strictly prohibited.
For North American machinery manufacturers, the DoC acts as a legal summary of your compliance efforts. It must list the specific legislation the machinery adheres to, such as the Machinery Regulation and the Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive (EMC). Crucially, it must also cite the specific Harmonized Standards used to verify safety.
Unlike a third-party certificate, the DoC is typically a self-declaration drafted under Internal Production Control. However, it is not just a piece of paper; it must be supported by a robust Technical File containing all test reports and evidence. Customs officials and Trading Standards review the DoC first; if it is missing or incorrect, your machinery can be immediately detained at the border.
