Category: European Union

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) introduces new documentation requirements for packaging (including product packaging). This guide serves as an introduction to several key documents required under the PPWR.

• Supplier documentation
• Declaration of Conformity (DoC)
• Technical documentation

Manufacturers

The company, defined as the manufacturer (of packaging or packed products), is generally responsible for creating the DoC and the technical documentation. There are also some circumstances in which the packaging supplier is responsible.

Suppliers

A supplier is the entity that supplies packaging or packaging materials to a manufacturer. Most product manufacturing companies do not produce packaging (or at least not the materials) in-house and procure from upstream suppliers instead. This entity is also responsible for providing certain documentation.
Continue reading PPWR Documentation Requirements

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) restricts substances in packaging materials, specifically heavy metals and PFAS. This guide provides an overview of the substance restrictions in Article 5 of the PPWR and how you can demonstrate compliance.

• PPWR restricts lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium
• PPWR restricts PFAS in food-contact packaging
• Testing is generally required to verify the substance contents

Continue reading Guide to EU PPWR Substance Restrictions

Musical instruments imported or manufactured for sale in the European Union are subject to various regulations and directives. These set requirements concerning mechanical and electrical safety, labelling, documentation, and chemicals.

This guide takes a closer look at various EU compliance requirements in relation to acoustic and electric musical instruments.

• Acoustic instruments are subject to various consumer product regulations
• CE marking is required for electronic and electrical instruments
• Toy instruments are subject to the Toy Safety Directive

Continue reading Guide to EU Regulations for Musical Instruments

Product warnings are required for various products sold in the European Union, including consumer products, electronics, PPE and machinery. Such warnings can take the form of warning labels or be included in user instructions.

This guide explains when you need to affix warnings and the conditions that apply when doing so.

Continue reading Product Warning Labelling Requirements in the EU

Risk assessments are required for a wide range of products sold in the EU, including consumer products, toys, electronics, PPE, and medical devices. That said, it can be difficult to understand what steps you must actually take to carry out a risk assessment, and how this should be documented.

Covered products

This guide explains risk assessment requirements for consumer products covered by the GPSR and products that require CE marking:

• Toys
• Electronics
• Batteries
• Machinery
• PPE
• Medical Devices
• Construction Products
• Gas Appliances

You will also find examples, templates, and methodologies that you can implement.

Terminology

Risk assessments are sometimes referred to as:

• Risk analysis
• Internal risk analysis
• Assessment of risk

In this guide, I primarily use the term risk assessment.

Continue reading Quick Guide to Risk Assessments in the EU: GPSR & CE Marking