Compliance & Regulatory template
Declaration of Conformity Template: Build & Export Free
Lay out the product, the legislation and standards it conforms to, and the responsible-party declaration, then export a print-ready PDF, free to start.
Free to try · No credit card · Exports a clean PDF
A live Declaration of Conformity rendered from this template, and yours opens the same way, in your brand, and exports to a clean PDF.
Overview
What is a Declaration of Conformity?
A Declaration of Conformity (DoC) is a formal statement in which a manufacturer or responsible party declares that an identified product conforms to the legislation, standards or requirements that apply to it. It is issued under the declarer's own responsibility and is the document that stands behind a conformity marking on a product.
In the EU, an EU Declaration of Conformity is what underpins CE marking: it is typically structured on the model set out in the relevant legislation (Decision No 768/2008/EC, Annex III) and names the applicable directives or regulations and the harmonised standards applied. Great Britain has an equivalent UK Declaration of Conformity tied to UKCA marking. Other markets have their own forms of supplier's or manufacturer's declaration.
Because requirements differ by product, directive and market, and change over time, a DoC is a controlled, carefully-worded document. This template gives you the standard framework and fields so you can draft one quickly; what actually applies to your product is for you to confirm. It is also distinct from a supplier's Certificate of Conformance, which covers a shipment rather than regulatory conformity (more below).
The fields
What a Declaration of Conformity typically includes
The fields below follow the widely-used framework for a Declaration of Conformity. The exact content required depends on the legislation that applies to your product. Treat this as a starting structure, not a checklist of legal sufficiency.
Declaration number
A unique number identifying the declaration, so it can be referenced and controlled.
Manufacturer / responsible party
The name and address of the manufacturer or responsible party issuing the declaration, and of an authorized representative where there is one.
Product identification
The product, type, model or serial and batch information: enough to trace the declaration to the product, often with a photo.
Statement of responsibility
The statement that the declaration is issued under the sole responsibility of the manufacturer or responsible party.
Object of the declaration
A clear description of the product the declaration covers: the "object of the declaration".
Applicable legislation
The directives, regulations or legislation the product is declared to conform to. Which apply is product-specific, so confirm the current set.
Standards applied
The harmonised or other standards applied, with their references and dates. Standards are superseded over time, so cite the current versions.
Notified / approved body
Where the conformity assessment involved a notified or approved body, its name, number and the certificate or role, where applicable.
Additional information
Any further information the applicable legislation calls for, or that supports the declaration.
Place, date and signatory
The place and date of issue and the name, function and signature of the person empowered to sign on the responsible party's behalf.
Step by step
How to fill out a Declaration of Conformity
Four passes get you from a blank template to a signed draft. Confirm the applicable requirements for your product as you go.
Identify the product and responsible party
Enter a declaration number, the manufacturer or responsible party (and any authorized representative), and the product identification (model, type, serial or batch) that ties the declaration to the product.
List the legislation and standards
State the directives or regulations the product is declared to conform to, and the standards applied, with references and dates. Confirm which currently apply to your product rather than copying a previous declaration.
Add the declaration and any body
Add the sole-responsibility statement and the object of the declaration, plus notified or approved body details where a conformity assessment involved one, and any additional information required.
Sign, date and export
Add the place and date of issue and the empowered signatory's name and function, apply your brand, and export the PDF. Have it reviewed against the current requirements before you issue it.
Which one
Declaration of Conformity vs. Certificate of Conformance
They sound alike and get swapped, but they operate at different levels: one is a regulatory declaration, the other a supplier's shipment statement.
Declaration of Conformity
A manufacturer's or responsible party's declaration that a product conforms to the legislation and standards that apply to it, the document behind a conformity marking such as CE.
Use when you must declare a product's conformity to regulations or directives.
Certificate of Conformance
A supplier-to-customer statement that a specific shipment meets its purchase-order, drawing or contract requirements, tied to goods delivered, not to regulatory marking.
Use when a customer wants assurance that a shipment meets its requirements.
See the Certificate of Conformance template →Get it right
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing a regulatory Declaration of Conformity (behind CE / UKCA marking) with a supplier's Certificate of Conformance.
- Not naming the applicable legislation, or naming directives or regulations that no longer apply.
- Referencing superseded standards instead of the versions currently in force.
- Omitting notified or approved body details where the conformity assessment required one.
- Leaving out the sole-responsibility statement or the empowered signatory.
- No declaration number, date or product identification, so the declaration can't be traced or controlled.
Questions
Frequently asked
What is a Declaration of Conformity?
A Declaration of Conformity is a formal statement by a manufacturer or responsible party that an identified product conforms to the legislation, standards or requirements that apply to it. It's issued under the declarer's own responsibility and is the document that stands behind a conformity marking on the product.
What's the difference between a Declaration of Conformity and a Certificate of Conformance?
A Declaration of Conformity is a manufacturer's regulatory declaration that a product meets applicable legislation and standards, the basis for markings like CE. A Certificate of Conformance is usually a supplier-to-customer statement that a specific shipment meets its purchase-order and drawing requirements. One addresses regulatory conformity; the other addresses a delivery.
What must an EU Declaration of Conformity contain?
An EU Declaration of Conformity is generally structured on the model in Decision No 768/2008/EC, Annex III, and names the product, the applicable EU legislation, the harmonised standards applied, any notified body involved, and the empowered signatory. The precise content depends on the directives that apply to your product, so confirm the current requirements rather than relying on a generic list.
Does CE marking require a Declaration of Conformity?
For products covered by EU legislation that provides for CE marking, drawing up an EU Declaration of Conformity is generally part of the process before the mark is affixed. Exactly what's required depends on the applicable directives or regulations for your product. This template is a drafting aid, not a determination that a DoC is required or sufficient in your case.
Who signs a Declaration of Conformity?
A person empowered to sign on behalf of the manufacturer or responsible party. Their name and function appear on the declaration with the place and date of issue. The declaration is made under that party's sole responsibility, so the signatory should have the authority to make it.
Related templates
Read the guideDeclaration of Conformity explained: what it is, EC vs EU, and how to get one
A Declaration of Conformity is the manufacturer’s own signed statement that a product meets the legislation that applies to it. Here’s what it means, why it is called EC or EU, how it backs CE marking, and how you actually get one.
Read the guide →Documents that go with a Declaration of Conformity
Certificate of Conformance (CoC)
Provides an authorized statement that supplied products, materials or shipments conform to identified requirements, specifications or contractual criteria.
Open template →RoHS Declaration
Communicates declared product status against applicable RoHS substance restrictions and supporting product or material information.
Open template →REACH Article 33 Supplier Communication / Declaration
Communicates Candidate List SVHC information for articles where Article 33 information obligations may apply, including safe-use information where relevant.
Open template →Build your Declaration of Conformity now
Fill in the fields, apply your brand, and export a clean PDF. Free to start.
Note: This template provides a general framework for a Declaration of Conformity and is not legal or regulatory advice. Conformity requirements (the applicable legislation, the current standards, any conformity-assessment or notified-body steps, and the required content and wording) depend on your product and market and change over time. You are solely responsible for determining what applies, for the accuracy of the declaration, and for confirming current requirements with the regulations or a qualified expert before issuing it.