Gost R Pattern of approval – Certificate of legal metrology

The Gost R certification for metrology, through the joint work of certification centers as TechSert and research institutes, under the direct control of the federal agency Rosstandart, fulfills the need of guaranteeing certainty and reliability of measuring systems and measuring instruments.

The technical organizations described so far, coordinated by our specialists, manage all the technical, legislative and administrative procedures that the subject requires. Our facility produces directly with the help of qualified and accredited specialists, the necessary inspections, tests and controls necessary to finally issue the Gost R Pattern of Approval for legal Metrology.

Audits and inspections, in order to prepare the necessary documentation for attaining the Gost R Metrological Certificate, are completed, depending on the type of product, at an accredited laboratory located in Russia, at the facility of production or at an appointed laboratory, with the presence of Russian personnel.

A certificate of approval of a type of measuring instrument serves as a crucial form of assurance, guaranteeing that a specific measuring device has successfully undergone rigorous testing procedures, thereby validating the accuracy of its measurements. Until January 1, 2009, this document was known as a “certificate of approval of types of measuring instruments.” Fundamentally, this certificate attests that the instrument has passed comprehensive metrological examinations. These tests meticulously assess the device against established and officially recognized requirements. Upon successful completion of these evaluations, the measuring instrument is formally included in the state register of approved devices, granting it legal authorization for use within the territory of the Russian Federation.

The primary objective of the certificate of approval of a type of measuring instrument is to ensure the uniformity and reliability of measurements across various applications. This certification system has its origins in the science of metrology, a discipline dedicated to developing and confirming objective knowledge about physical processes, phenomena, and objects. The overarching goal of metrology is to ensure that all measuring devices encountered in practical use provide dependable and accurate readings. The responsibility for issuing these crucial certificates rests with the Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology, an organization previously known as Gosstandart. The process through which a measuring instrument obtains this certification involves several critical stages.

Initially, a decision must be obtained, which is granted based on the outcomes of specifically designed and conducted tests. These tests are instrumental in definitively establishing the type of the measuring instrument. Once the type is determined and approved, it undergoes state-level registration, culminating in the issuance of a certificate of type approval. Subsequently, further testing is carried out to rigorously verify whether the instrument consistently conforms to its declared and registered type. This stage may also involve additional approval processes conducted by authorized organizations in foreign countries, further enhancing the credibility and international recognition of the certification. The results of all these tests are carefully reviewed and agreed upon, ultimately leading to the issuance of a certificate of type approval of the measuring instrument by FATRIM (Federal Agency for Technical Regulation and Metrology).

The entire process of certification, encompassing all the necessary tests and approvals required for the issuance of this certificate, can vary in duration, typically ranging from one to three months. The issued certificate of type approval prominently displays the unique registration number assigned to this specific type of instrument within the State Register of Measuring Instruments. For instance, the threshold analyzer of ethanol vapors, Lion Alcoblow, is recorded in this register under the number 18623-04, while the breathalyzer, Lion Alcolmeter SD-400, holds the registration number 16622–97. Integral to the certificate are its appendices, with the type description being a primary component. This description includes essential mandatory sections such as the intended purpose of the instrument type, its specific area of application, a comprehensive and detailed description of the instrument’s design and functionality, its key technical specifications, permissible measurement errors, the complete set of components included, the recommended interval between periodic calibration checks, and the operational time interval during which the device can function reliably without requiring adjustments to its readings.

It is important to note that if any subsequent modifications are made to the instrument’s design that result in changes to its performance characteristics, such as its accuracy or error margins, a renewed assessment is required. Following confirmation of these changes through further testing, a new set of characteristics for the modified device will be officially issued, potentially leading to a revised entry in the State Register. An example of this is the Lion Alcolmeter SD-400 ethanol vapor analyzer, which, after undergoing repeated testing due to design modifications, was re-registered in the State Register under the number 16622–03, superseding its earlier registration.

The standard validity period for a certificate of approval of the type of measuring instruments (certificate) is five years, after which the certificate can be formally extended through a renewal process. If, during this five-year period, the production of the certified device is discontinued, the models that were already manufactured and released into use still retain their status as officially recognized measuring instruments. They also retain their assigned registration number within the State Register of Verified Instruments and remain subject to mandatory periodic inspections, the frequency of which is determined by their specific technical characteristics and intended use. In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Law on Ensuring the Uniformity of Measurements dated April 27, 1993, No. 4871-1, within critical fields such as labor safety and healthcare, only measuring instruments that have not only obtained this certificate of approval but also undergo regular and timely inspections are legally permitted for use. This rigorous system of certification and ongoing verification is essential to ensure that individuals and organizations rely on accurate and objective data in these sensitive and important domains.

The normative basis for the Gost R Pattern of Approval certification is contained in a vast archive of technical regulations Gost R, drawn up in conformity with the recommendations provided by the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

The possession of an equivalent certificate issued by a certification institution of a country other than Russia does not give the right of exemption from the Mandatory certificate of legal metrology.

The certificate Gost OIML does not replace the EAC certificate or EAC declaration, which however accompany  in cases where the product falls within the regulated categories.

Issuing time from the delivery of all the required documents: 3 – 8 months

Total cost: from 4000 Euro

Inspection: Mandatory

Validity: single shipment, 5 years

Costs may vary depending on the time validity request, the product to be certified and the number of product variants, or different products if considered similar.