A less visible but immediate trade issue has emerged from the EU’s move to electronic vehicle conformity certificates. From 5 July 2026, manufacturers in the European Union must make Certificates of Conformity available as structured electronic data through the EUCARIS system, in accordance with Regulation 2018/858.
Serbian authorities still rely heavily on paper documentation when imported vehicles are approved and registered. Without technical access, compatible data formats and legally recognised electronic verification, importers could face additional administrative steps or delays as European manufacturers progressively discontinue routine paper issuance.
The requirement also affects Serbian producers of trailers, vehicle conversions and other non-motorised vehicles sold into EU and EFTA markets. These companies must be able to create compliant electronic certificates and connect their production and type-approval records with the new system.
The change is administrative, but its commercial reach is significant. Serbia’s automotive economy includes the Stellantis plant in Kragujevac and an extensive network of component, cable, tyre, metal-processing and engineering suppliers. Digital conformity records increasingly form part of the product itself, alongside traceability, cybersecurity, emissions and recycled-material information.
Successful alignment would shorten registration and export procedures. Delayed integration would place additional working-capital and compliance costs on importers and smaller manufacturers, precisely when European automotive orders and margins are already under pressure.
