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Obligations in the European Union for Drone Importers
The role of importers in the field of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in the European Union is of paramount importance to ensure the safety, quality and regulatory compliance of products entering the single market. Article 8 of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 sets out clearly and comprehensively the obligations to be assumed by these economic actors, highlighting their essential contribution to compliance with regulatory standards.
Below are some of the obligations of Importers:
1. Verification of Product Conformity Product Conformity Verification
Before placing a UAS on the Union market, importers are obliged to ensure that the manufacturer has complied with the conformity assessment procedure specified in Article 13 of the Regulation. This includes the production of the required technical documentation, the CE marking of the product and, where applicable, the class identification label and the indication of the sound power level. In this way, importers take on a technical supervisory role that ensures that products comply with the applicable requirements from their origin.
2. Traceability and Transparency
It is imperative that importers provide clear and accessible information on their identity, including their name, trademark, postal address and website. This information must be directly stated on the product, its packaging or accompanying documentation. This requirement aims to ensure the traceability of products, facilitating corrective actions in case of irregularities.
3. Preservation of Technical Documents
Importers are obliged to keep a copy of the EU Declaration of Conformity for a minimum period of ten years after the product has been placed on the market. This requirement is intended to facilitate the work of market surveillance authorities and to allow verification of regulatory conformity throughout the whole period of the product.
4. Assurance of Proper Storage and Transport
Importers must ensure that the storage and transport conditions of products do not compromise their compliance with the requirements set out in the Regulation. This precautionary approach ensures that products maintain their quality and safety until delivery to the end user.
5. Corrective Actions and Co-operation with Authorities
If importers identify a product that does not comply with applicable regulations or detect risks associated with its use, they have a responsibility to take immediate corrective action, which may include product recall or withdrawal. In addition, they must promptly notify the competent authorities and provide all relevant information to effectively manage the risk.
A Shared Responsibility
Article 8 not only underlines the individual obligations of importers, but also reinforces the notion of shared responsibility throughout the supply chain. From the manufacturer to the distributor, each economic actor plays a crucial role in creating a UAS market that prioritises safety, transparency, and legality.