Writing Operating Manuals for TR CU 004 and TR CU 020
Without an operating manual, technically complex or potentially hazardous products cannot be sold in the EAEU. TR CU 004 and TR CU 020 each set their own mandatory contents, both require the Union's working language, and both allow electronic-only documents in one case: equipment for non-household purposes.
Why the manual is a gating document
An operating manual is a mandatory accompanying document for structurally or technically complex products, and for potentially hazardous ones. Without it, those goods may not be sold in the Eurasian Economic Union.
The most frequent requests concern TR CU 004, On safety of low-voltage equipment, and TR CU 020, Electromagnetic compatibility of technical means, which between them regulate almost all mains-operated electronic devices and household appliances.
What must a TR CU 004 manual contain?
Operational documents for low-voltage equipment must contain:
- The name and/or designation of the equipment, type, brand, model
- Its main parameters and characteristics affecting safety
- The name and/or trademark of the manufacturer
- The name of the country
- Information on the purpose of the equipment
- Characteristics and parameters
- Rules and conditions for safe operation and use
- Rules and conditions for installation, storage, transportation, sale and disposal
- Information on the measures to take when a malfunction is detected
- The name and location of the manufacturer, or the person or company authorised by the manufacturer, and of the importer, with contact information
- The month and year of manufacture, and/or information on where it is applied and how to determine the year of manufacture
What must a TR CU 020 manual contain?
Operational documents for a technical device must contain:
- The name and/or designation of the device, type, brand, model where there is one
- Its main parameters and characteristics
- The name and/or trademark of the manufacturer
- The name of the country of manufacture
- Information on the application of the technical means
- Rules and conditions for installation, connection to the electrical network and to other technical means, launch or switch-on, regulation and putting into service, where those are necessary to ensure the device complies with the regulation
- Information about restrictions on use, taking account of application in residential, commercial and industrial areas
- Rules and conditions for safe operation and use
- Rules and conditions for storage, transportation, sale and disposal
- Information on the measures to take when a malfunction is detected
- The name and location of the manufacturer or its authorised person, and of the importer, with contact information
- The month and year of manufacture, and/or how to determine it
The two bold entries are what distinguishes an EMC manual from a safety manual. They exist because compliance under TR CU 020 can depend on how the device is installed and where it is used, so the instructions are part of the compliance case.
Language and format
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Language | The Union’s working language, plus the national language(s) of member states where their legislation requires it |
| Format | Paper, optionally accompanied by a set on electronic media |
| Electronic only | Permitted for equipment intended for non-household purposes |
Both regulations state this identically. The electronic-only concession turns on the intended purpose of the equipment alone.
Sources
- TR CU 004/2011, On the safety of low-voltage equipment, Eurasian Economic Commission
- TR CU 020/2011, Electromagnetic compatibility of technical means
Frequently asked questions
What language must the manual be in?
The Union's working language, and in the national language or languages of the Customs Union member states where their legislation requires it. This applies under both TR CU 004 and TR CU 020, and it is the requirement most often left until the end of a project.
Can the manual be electronic only?
Only for equipment intended for non-household purposes. Operational documents are otherwise drawn up on paper, and may be accompanied by a set on electronic media. For household products the paper document is not optional.
What does TR CU 020 require that TR CU 004 does not?
Two things in particular: rules and conditions for installing the device, connecting it to the electrical network and to other technical means, launching, regulating and putting it into service where those are needed for compliance; and information about restrictions on use across residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Not sure which of these applies to your product? Send it and we will tell you
Related articles
EAC Approval for Power Adapters and Chargers
One certificate covers TR CU 004 and 020; RoHS goes on a separate declaration. The four steps, the annual inspection, and why RoHS testing takes a month.
EAC Approval for HVAC Systems: Household vs Industrial
Household HVAC needs certificates under TR CU 004 and 020 plus a RoHS declaration. Industrial HVAC needs none of that, it declares under 004, 020 and 010.
EAC Certification of Lighting Fixtures and Equipment
Three technical regulations apply to lighting, certification runs on schemes 1c, 3c or 4c, and the test standards differ by fixture type.
