Who issues the declaration of conformity, and when is it needed?

What it is

The declaration of conformity (dichiarazione di conformità, often shortened to DiCo) is the document in which the firm that installed a system confirms it was done to the rules. It’s required by Italy’s Ministerial Decree 37 of 22 January 2008, which covers building services: electrical, electronic and aerial systems, heating and air conditioning, water and sanitation, gas, and fire protection.

Who issues it

The licensed installer — a firm registered with the Chamber of Commerce for the type of system it works on. It hands the declaration to the client at the end of the job, after carrying out the required checks, including a functional test.

The owner doesn’t issue it, and nor does whoever sold the materials: it’s signed by whoever did the work.

When it’s needed

• A new system.
• Alterations or extensions: new electrical circuits, an extra bathroom, moving the boiler.
• Partial replacement: the declaration covers the part that was redone, taking into account the safety of the system as a whole.

Routine maintenance — repairs that deal with wear and early faults without changing the system — doesn’t need one.

What’s in it

The declaration follows an official template. It includes a report on the materials used and the system’s technical document: a drawing of the installed system or, where the law requires it, a design signed by a registered professional.

Daniele Lantieri is the company’s technical lead for electrical, electronic, heating, water, gas and fire protection systems. Below the thresholds set by art. 5(2) of Ministerial Decree 37/2008, we draw up the design ourselves. Above them, it is signed by a registered professional engineer we work with.

What if the system is old and there’s no declaration?

For systems installed before 27 March 2008, if there’s no declaration or it can’t be found, a declaration of compliance (dichiarazione di rispondenza) can take its place. It’s issued after an inspection and checks by a registered professional with at least five years’ experience in the field. For systems below the legal thresholds, the technical lead of a licensed firm with at least five years in that role can issue it too.

Why it matters in practice

The notary asks for it when you sell, the agent when you let, the gas supplier when you open an account, the insurer after a claim. Keep it with your property documents.

Three common questions

• “I only replaced the boiler — do I need one?” Replacing an appliance connected to the gas system has to be declared, because it affects the system’s safety. We’ll tell you before we start.
• “The previous firm never gave me one.” You can ask whoever did the work. If the system predates 2008, there’s the declaration of compliance.
• “Does it have to be filed anywhere?” In some cases the firm also sends it to the local council; you always keep a copy.

With us

When the job is finished we give you a declaration of conformity for every system that needs one, with up-to-date drawings. We’re licensed for letters A, B, C (excluding refrigeration), D, E, G of DM 37/2008. See about us.