From July 5, 2026, the existing CoC documentation process in the EU will gradually be transitioned to a digital workflow. For vehicle manufacturers, this does not simply mean that existing documents will need to be provided in a different format. What matters most is ensuring that the vehicle data, the corresponding certificate, and the technical signature work together reliably.
A digital Certificate of Conformity for the EU is intended to make the vehicle registration process simpler, more secure, and easier to verify. To achieve this, companies should clarify at an early stage where relevant data is stored, who approves it, and how the digital proof can later be checked by public authorities. This ensures that the initiative does not become an isolated IT project, but a robust process that fits into day-to-day operations.
The CoC remains, in substance, proof that a vehicle corresponds to the approved type. What is new is that this declaration of conformity will no longer be handled like a traditional paper document, but as structured digital information. This enables certification bodies to check more quickly whether the information is complete and whether the proof genuinely belongs to the vehicle in question.
For many companies, preparation begins with the existing CoCs. They show which information is already being used today, which documents are relied on for this purpose, and where manual steps still exist. These are precisely the points that should be carefully reviewed before the transition, so that the future process does not fail because of minor data errors.
Why the Certificate Is at the Center of It All
In the digital process, it is not enough simply to store the existing information electronically. The proof must be secured in such a way that its origin and integrity remain traceable. This requires a certificate that matches the organization and is correctly integrated into the process.
The certificate links the signature to a verified identity. This allows authorities to determine whether the digital proof comes from an authorized body. Without a suitable certificate, even a substantively correct proof may still be rejected because the technical verification cannot be completed properly.
Manufacturers should therefore define at an early stage which certificate types will be used, who will manage the certificate, and how long the certificate will remain valid. It is also crucial that the certificate type matches the specific purpose and can be renewed reliably during ongoing operations.
Security, Keys, and Responsibilities
An important point is the key that technically triggers the signature. This key must be protected and clearly assigned so that the security of the entire process is maintained. It is equally important that the key is not considered separately from the process, but is linked to roles, approvals, and controls.
In practice, it should be clear who is authorized to use the key, who manages the key, and who intervenes if the key needs to be renewed or blocked. This is the only way to keep the process stable without creating uncertainty in day-to-day operations.
The identity of the issuer and the identity of the object must also remain traceable. The digital proof always refers to a specific vehicle, not just to a general product line. The assignment of the object must therefore match the data contained in the proof.
Technical Issuance of the Digital CoC
In the technical process, vehicle data, identification, certificate, and signature workflow are connected with one another. Before manufacturers sign a digital Certificate of Conformity, they should check whether the correct key is being used, whether the management of the key is documented, and whether clear responsibilities are in place when multiple keys are used.
The user certificates used, or a single user certificate, should be stored in a protected certificate repository and used only for authorized queries. A trust service provider can play a central role here: it provides certificates, supports the secure management of keys, and ensures that signatures remain verifiable later on.
Depending on the technical architecture, a certification authority, several certification authorities, or connected certification bodies may also be involved. It is important here that the respective certification body is not confused with the manufacturer as the issuer of the CoC. The trust service provider therefore does not support the substantive assessment of the vehicle, but rather the technical trust basis for the digital proof.
It remains essential that the process supports and actually complies with the applicable EU regulations on conformity with the relevant standards. Only then can the digital proof later be used reliably for vehicle registration and type approval.
Important distinction: CoC and certification body
The Certificate of Conformity is usually not a certificate issued by a traditional certification body, but an EU declaration of conformity issued by the manufacturer or its authorized representative.
Making Effective Use of Existing Proofs
Existing CoCs provide a good basis for the transition because they show how the current proof is structured. At the same time, they should not simply be transferred as they are. It is better to compare the content with the current data sources and check whether each document is still complete and unambiguous.
When CoCs, internal approvals, and technical data are brought together cleanly, a stable process is created. This also includes regularly checking each certificate. An expired certificate, an incorrectly integrated certificate, or an unsuitable certificate can result in the digital proof not being accepted.
This is precisely why it is worth testing the process early. Companies should check whether the vehicle data is correct, whether the certificate can be used technically, and whether feedback from the relevant authorities is evaluated in a clear and understandable way.
Conclusion
The digital Certificate of Conformity will become an integral part of vehicle registration for vehicle manufacturers. Those who prepare for the transition early can avoid errors and significantly reduce the effort required during ongoing operations.
What matters most is a clear process, a valid certificate, protected signature data, and a clean assignment to the vehicle. This creates proof that increases security and can be reliably verified by registration authorities.
SIGN8 supports companies in providing the appropriate certificate, classifying existing documents, and setting up the technical integration securely.
FAQ: Certificate of Conformity and eCoC
What is a digital Certificate of Conformity?
A digital Certificate of Conformity is electronic proof that a vehicle corresponds to the approved type and can be used for vehicle registration.
Why is the certificate so important?
It links the signature to a verified organization. This allows vehicle registration authorities to trace whether the proof comes from the correct body.
What role does the CoC play?
The proof remains important as the technical starting point. The digital implementation primarily changes the way data is provided and verified.
Why are existing proofs helpful for preparation?
CoCs show which information has been used in the existing process. This makes it easier to review data sources, documents, and responsibilities.
What role does the certification authority play?
This is where the certification authority also comes into play. The certification authority helps ensure that verification, certificate, and requirements are aligned. It should also be clarified early on which certification authority will be involved and how the certification authority fits into the ongoing process. This creates the basis for a workflow that authorities can later review without any additional media discontinuity.
What role do TLS, authentication, and secure transmission play?
In addition to the signing process itself, TLS also plays an important role, as the data must be protected during transmission between manufacturers, systems, and authorities. TLS provides a secure connection and supports the authentication of the systems involved.
Manufacturers should check which certificate repositories are used, how user certificates or a single user certificate are integrated, and whether their use matches the respective purpose. It is also important that not every user, or a user’s role, can access signature functions without clear approval.
If multiple users are granted access, roles, rights, and logs should be clearly regulated. For natural persons, identification via an identity card may also be relevant depending on the process, for example if an authorized person is responsible for approval or the technical signature.
Providers offering such solutions should therefore support not only signing, but also secure transmission, certificate validation, and subsequent verification by authorities.
What documents and documentation do manufacturers need?
For the digital creation of a CoC, manufacturers should define at an early stage which documents from existing processes will be adopted and how they will digitally create a reliable declaration of conformity or multiple declarations of conformity. This is not only about technical implementation, but also about compliance with the applicable regulations, standards, directives, and each relevant directive.
The digital Certificate of Conformity must show that the respective product, the affected products, or the characteristics of the product comply with the standards. This also includes a traceable conformity assessment or multiple conformity assessments, clear identification of the vehicle, and complete documentation as well as any supplementary documentation where necessary.
Only if the process actually meets the requirements can the proof later be used reliably for vehicle registration and the operating permit. The structure of the digital declaration of conformity process should therefore be designed so that public institutions can verify the content, origin, signatures, and technical conformity without any media discontinuity.
What is the purpose of the declaration of conformity in the digital process?
The purpose of the declaration of conformity is to provide traceable confirmation that a vehicle meets the relevant standards and that the required conformity for further vehicle registration is in place. When creating it digitally, manufacturers should define exactly which data they create, how the vehicle is identified, and how compliance with the requirements is documented.
The declaration of conformity serves not only internal purposes, but is also a central basis for the operating permit and can be integrated into the registration process as a digital Certificate of Conformity. To ensure that the process remains legally compliant, the document must be signed correctly; depending on the procedure, user certificates or a specific user certificate are used for this purpose and managed in a protected certificate repository.
Technical authentication ensures that the responsible body can be clearly assigned. Depending on the process, it may also be checked whether a responsible person has been identified via an identity card.
This makes digital signing reliable, allows multiple signatures to be verified traceably, and keeps the entire process of providing declaration of conformity proof transparent. What matters most is that the procedure actually meets the regulatory requirements and that the declarations of conformity can later be reliably verified by authorities.
