The European Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is a vital document issued by vehicle manufacturers to certify that a vehicle complies with European Union (EU) regulations. It plays a key role in ensuring standardization, safety, and environmental protection across the EU automotive market.
As part of the EU’s digital transformation, recent regulations are encouraging manufacturers to issue CoCs in electronic form. However, to be compliant, these electronic CoCs must be digitally signed. In this blog, we explore the role of digital seals in CoCs and how they are transforming the automotive industry.
What is a Certificate of Conformity (CoC)?
A CoC is based on Regulation (EU) 2018/858 and it certifies that a vehicle meets EU type-approval standards (a set of regulatory, technical and safety requirements vehicle manufacturers must adhere to). It enables vehicles to be registered in any EU member state without additional inspections or testing—particularly beneficial for cross-border vehicle movement.
A CoC details information that conforms to compliance standards and includes:
- Manufacturer’s name and address
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Make, model, and variant
- Type of body and number of doors
- Engine capacity, power, and fuel type
- Emissions and environmental performance (e.g., CO₂, NOx)
- Noise levels
- Weight, dimensions, and axle loads
- Applicable EU directives and regulations.
Manufacturers are required to issue a valid CoC with every vehicle sold in the EU, at the time of delivery. Only approved EU manufacturers or their authorized representatives can issue a CoC.
What is a Digital Seal and Are They Used With Certificates of Conformity?
A digital seal (or electronic seal) serves a similar purpose to a traditional wax seal that was used to authenticate documents. However, a digital seal uses a cryptographic technology to verify the origin and integrity of a document. A digital seal is issued on behalf of an organization as opposed to a digital signature which is applied in the name of an individual. A document can be digitally signed with a seal or signature, and Certificates of Conformity are commonly digitally signed with a seal.
Why Digitally Signed CoCs Matter
Under Regulation (EU) 2018/858, the automotive industry is transitioning toward fully digital documentation. This makes digital seals essential for verifying the authenticity and integrity of electronic CoCs.
A digitally signed CoC:
- Authenticates the document’s origin
- Ensures integrity, confirming the data hasn’t been altered
- Prevents forgery or tampering
These are typically Qualified Electronic Seals, issued by a Qualified Trust Service Provider (QTSP) in accordance with the eIDAS regulation.
To be valid, the digital seal must be applied by the manufacturer or authorized representative at the time of issuance and must comply with type-approval standards.
This shift to digital CoCs is expected to reduce administrative overhead, lower costs, and streamline vehicle registration processes across the EU.
Benefits of Digitally Signed CoCs
Digital CoCs has notable impact for both car manufacturers and buyers. For dealerships and manufacturers, the shift aligns with digitization across the automotive industry, streamlining compliance with EU regulations. Reduced paperwork and faster processing improve efficiency and helps lower administrative overheads.
For buyers, digital CoCs enable faster registrations. As CoCs are verified instantly, buyers can experience a quicker registration process when purchasing a new vehicle.
It also improves transparency as digital seals ensure authenticity and reduced the risk of tampered documents. Electronic CoCs are also easily accessible, simple to store and present when needed.
Impact on Non-EU Manufacturers
While vehicles manufactured outside the EU are not required to issue CoCs by default, they must provide valid CoCs when registering or selling vehicles within the EU. In these cross-border scenarios, digitally signed CoCs offer the most efficient and secure format, ensuring compliance and simplifying the registration process.
CoC Supports Strategic Shift in Automotive Ecosystem
The shift to digitally signed Certificates of Conformity is more than a regulatory requirement—it’s a strategic move toward a more efficient, secure, and transparent automotive ecosystem. For manufacturers, embracing digital signatures not only ensures compliance but also unlocks operational benefits and builds trust with buyers and partners.
