Definition of the certificate of conformity
The certificate of conformity (COC, for Certificate of Conformity) is a document issued by the vehicle manufacturer. It certifies that the vehicle leaves the factory conforming to a type approved at European level. This is known as EC type-approval.
The COC is recognised in every European Union country. It is what allows a vehicle bought in Germany, Belgium or Italy to be registered in France, and vice versa.
What is the COC for?
- Registering a vehicle imported from the EU (obtaining the registration certificate).
- Proving the vehicle’s exact technical characteristics to the authorities.
- Avoiding an individual conformity inspection at a national approval body on a case-by-case basis.
- Replacing a lost COC with an official duplicate.
What does a certificate of conformity contain?
The COC brings together all of the vehicle’s type-approval data:
- Brand, type, variant, version
- Chassis number (VIN)
- Type-approval number
- Weights (unladen, maximum)
- Dimensions
- Engine, displacement, power
- CO₂ emissions and Euro standard
- Noise level
- Number of seats
- Safety equipment
Paper COC or digital copy by e-mail?
Since 5 July 2026, conformity data for newly built EU vehicles travels as an eCOC (signed XML) between the manufacturer and the authorities. Earlier vehicles — so virtually every used import — still rely on the COC issued to the owner. That is the one Homologa obtains for you. Paper and printouts of the eCOC also remain accepted until 29 November 2026 at the latest.
By vehicle type
The general rules are the same, but each category has its own points to watch: the category recorded on the certificate, the gross weight, whether a conversion was carried out.
Frequently asked questions
Is the COC mandatory to register an imported vehicle?
Yes. For a vehicle imported from another EU country, the certificate of conformity is required to obtain the registration certificate.
Can I get a duplicate if I have lost my COC?
Yes. We obtain an official duplicate of the certificate from the manufacturer. Mind the 10-year rule: under Article 36 of Regulation (EU) 2018/858, the manufacturer is only obliged to issue a duplicate for 10 years after the vehicle’s date of manufacture, and only keeps copies for that same period. Beyond that, it remains possible but is at the manufacturer’s discretion — we check availability before charging you anything.
Is the COC valid throughout Europe?
Yes, the European certificate of conformity is recognised in every European Union member state.
Does Homologa carry out vehicle homologation (individual approval)?
No. Homologa obtains from the manufacturer the certificate of conformity (COC) of a vehicle that is already type-approved in Europe, and supports the registration of an imported vehicle. Technical homologation of a vehicle without a COC (individual approval by the national authority) is a different procedure, which we do not perform: in that case we tell you which steps to take.