The European Certificate of Conformity (COC) is an official document issued by a vehicle manufacturer certifying that the vehicle complies with all European Union regulations and technical requirements for registration and circulation.
This certificate is established within the framework of European type approval and allows vehicles to be registered without the need for additional technical inspections in each member country.
Below, we explain in detail for which types of vehicles and types of trailers this document is valid.
Vehicles to which the COC applies
The European Certificate of Conformity applies only to vehicles that have been type-approved under EU regulations.
This includes:
Motor vehicles of categories M, N and L
Category M: Vehicles designed and manufactured for the transport of persons.
- M1: Cars with a maximum of eight seats in addition to the driver (passenger cars).
- M2: Vehicles with more than eight seats and a maximum weight ≤ 5 tonnes (minibuses).
- M3: Buses and coaches over 5 tonnes.
Category N: Vehicles designed for the transport of goods.
- N1: Light vans (up to 3.5 tonnes).
- N2: Medium lorries (3.5 to 12 tonnes).
- N3: Heavy lorries (over 12 tonnes).
Category L: Two- or three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles. These include motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, quads, etc.
Trailers and semi-trailers (category O)
The COC is also valid for trailers and semi-trailers, provided they have been approved in accordance with European type approval.
The categories are:
- O1: Trailers with a maximum mass ≤ 750 kg.
- O2: Trailers with a maximum mass > 750 kg and ≤ 3,500 kg.
- O3: Trailers with a maximum mass > 3,500 kg and ≤ 10,000 kg.
- O4: Trailers with a maximum mass > 10,000 kg.
Therefore, both light and heavy trailers can have a European Certificate of Conformity if the manufacturer has approved them in accordance with European regulations.
Cases in which it is NOT valid or NOT issued
The COC is not issued or is not valid in the following cases:
- Vehicles manufactured outside the European Union and not approved in accordance with European standards.
- Vehicles imported individually or that have passed a national or individual approval (e.g. American or Japanese vehicles imported privately).
- Vehicles modified after type approval (e.g. camper conversions, industrial conversions, or significant technical modifications).
- Vehicles manufactured before the entry into force of European type approval (generally before 1996, depending on the type of vehicle).
In these cases, a reduced technical data sheet or individual approval is required instead of the COC.
Usefulness of the COC Certificate
The European Certificate of Conformity allows you to:
- Register the vehicle in any European Union country without the need for additional approvals.
- Speed up the import and registration procedures for new or used vehicles between EU countries.
- Ensure that the vehicle complies with the safety, emissions and noise standards required by European regulations.
Conclusion
The European Certificate of Conformity (COC) is valid for all vehicles and trailers approved in accordance with European regulations, including cars, motorcycles, industrial vehicles and trailers of all types.
However, it does not apply to vehicles without European approval, modified vehicles or vehicles imported individually from outside the EU.
