The European Certificate of Conformity (COC) is the document that certifies that a vehicle complies with European Union type approval.
It is mainly used to import/export and register a car in another EU country without the need for individual approval.
It is not always mandatory, but in many situations it facilitates and speeds up administrative procedures.
When do you need the COC document?
The COC has several key functions within the EU:
1. Importing and exporting
During the import process, you must provide the COC to the relevant authorities so that they can verify that the vehicle has been manufactured in accordance with European safety and emissions regulations.
In addition, they may check technical information.
This document will be necessary for:
- Individuals
- Dealerships
- Vehicle import/export companies
2. Registering an imported vehicle
If you buy a car in Germany and want to register it in France, for example, the COC allows you to prove that the vehicle already complies with European regulations, avoiding additional complex procedures.
This document will need to be submitted during the re-registration process in the new country.
For companies that import vehicles, it will be necessary to speed up the process of entering the country.
For second-hand car dealers, it will be useful for checking technical information about the vehicle, making any necessary repairs and providing this document to customers as an additional service.
3. Avoiding individual approval
In the absence of the COC, the authorities may require individual approval, which can be a longer and more expensive process.
The certificate simplifies this process.
4. Road trips in Europe
For road trips in Europe, whether for leisure or work, this document will be necessary in order to:
- Purchase toll devices, especially if you are travelling with a heavy vehicle (caravans, motorhomes, camper vans, etc.)
- Present it to customs authorities at the border of each country
5. Certify the official technical characteristics
It includes information such as:
- European type approval number
- Make, model and variant
- Emission level
- Power and engine capacity
- Maximum authorised mass
- Dimensions and approved tyres
This is useful for technical inspections and administrative procedures.
In what situations might you be asked for it?
The European Certificate of Conformity is usually requested in the following cases:
Intra-Community import
When registering a vehicle from another European Union country.
For example:
- Purchase of a car in Germany and registration in Spain.
- Change of residence with vehicle included.
First registration of a new vehicle
In some countries, the authorities may require the COC in order to issue the national technical data sheet.
Specific technical or administrative procedures
Some Technical Inspection stations or traffic and customs authorities may request it in order to verify technical data if there is any discrepancy in the documentation.
For heavy vehicles, it is particularly important to obtain the COC certificate, as the authorities often require technical information to be verified more frequently.
Is it mandatory to have the Certificate of Conformity?
The short answer is: it is not always mandatory, but it is highly recommended.
It is not mandatory when
- The vehicle is already registered in the country where it is driven.
- A valid and complete national technical data sheet is available.
- The vehicle does not come from another EU country.
It is mandatory when
- A vehicle is imported from another European Union country.
- The authorities require it to complete the registration file.
- There is no other way to prove European type approval.
If the COC is not available, it can usually be replaced by:
- A certificate of equivalence.
- An individual type approval.
However, these procedures often involve more costs and time.
Which vehicles can have a Certificate of Conformity?
The COC only exists for vehicles with European type approval, i.e.:
- Passenger cars (M1)
- Motorcycles
- Light vans
- Some commercial vehicles
Very old vehicles or those imported from outside the EU (USA, Japan, etc.) do not normally have a European COC.
Advantages of having a COC
The advantages of obtaining a European Certificate of Conformity are:
- It speeds up registration
- It reduces administrative costs
- It avoids additional technical inspections
- It simplifies international procedures
Conclusion
The European Certificate of Conformity is a key document for registering vehicles within the European Union.
Although it is not always mandatory, it is essential when importing a car from another EU country, as it certifies that it complies with European regulations without the need for individual approval.
If you are thinking of importing a vehicle into the EU, ensuring that it has a COC can save you time, money and administrative complications.
