Category: European Union

Which Countries Accept CE Marked Products?

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CE mark Accepted

The European Union mandates the use of the CE marking for many product categories such as electronics, toys, medical devices, and personal protective equipment. That being said, some countries outside the EU, including Turkey and the United Kingdom, can accept the CE marking for certain products.

Other countries recognise certain aspects of the CE marking process – such as EN standards.

In this guide, we explain what you need to know about the acceptance concerning CE-marked products and EN standards in the United Kingdom, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, Singapore, and other countries.
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Bisphenol A (BPA) Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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A broad range of products can contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to enhance plastic durability. However, Bisphenol A (BPA) is restricted under various regulations in the EU due to its potential to cause harm to human health.

More specifically, Bisphenol A is restricted in consumer products, food contact materials, and toys in the European Union.

In this guide, we explain how regulations REACH, the Toy Safety Directive, and other regulations, including some national laws, either restrict or relate to Bisphenol A.

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List of CE Marking Service Companies: Our Top 16 Picks

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 8 Comments

Looking for a consultant or other service provider to help you understand CE marking? In this article, we list software tools, consulting companies, and testing and certification companies offering a wide range of CE mark-related compliance services.

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Essential Oil Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Essential Oils Regulations in the EU

Essential oils can contain substances that are subject to various restrictions. These restrictions concern substances that are flammable, harmful to humans, labelling requirements, and documentation.

In this guide, we explain how regulations such as the CLP Regulation, Cosmetics Regulation, and REACH relate to essential oils. We also list a few standards and test methods relevant to essential oils.
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Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation: An Overview

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CLP Regulation
The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation classifies and regulates substances, mixtures and some articles in order to protect people and the environment.

The scope of the regulation also includes consumer products mainly composed of substances, such as candles, or finger paints.

In this guide, we explain how the CLP Regulation applies to those substances and products, including requirements regarding labelling, packaging, and lab testing.
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PFAS Regulations in the European Union: An Essential Guide

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Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that have been used in certain consumer products for their ability to resist water and stains.

Such products include cookware, clothing, furniture, and building materials. In recent years, PFAS has been restricted by various regulations in the European Union because of their toxicity to humans and the environment.

In this article, we list examples of products that might contain PFAS, as well as regulations that restrict them, including REACH, the POPs Regulation, and the Cosmetic Products Regulation.
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CE Certificate of Conformity: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 30 Comments

A CE Certificate of Conformity (CoC) essentially states that a certain product is compliant with one or more regulations, directives or standards. It also includes information about the conformity assessment performed, the issuing company, product information, and suppliers.

In theory, this certificate is issued based on the issuing company reviewing or creating certain documents. This includes test reports and technical files.

However, as I will explain in this guide, far from all documents titled ‘Certificate of Conformity’ are valid and based on an actual conformity assessment. In short, many of these documents are invalid and can result in your products being subject to a recall, fines, or other penalties.

Alternative terms

Certificate of Conformity documents can have the following titles:

  • CE Certificate
  • Attestation of Conformity
  • Verification of Conformity
  • Certificate of Compliance

Some service providers also refer to these as voluntary certificates.

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Machinery Regulation: An Essential Guide

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The Machinery Regulation lays down health and safety requirements for machinery, as well as partially completed machinery. As the definition of machinery includes products with moving parts, the regulation is also relevant for consumer products such as e-bikes or trademills.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers should know about the Machinery Regulation, including documentation, CE marking, labelling, and testing requirements.
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Chemical Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Chemical Regulations European Union

Practically all consumer products sold in the European Union are subject to regulations governing the use of heavy metals, chemicals, and other substances. Specific bans and restrictions on substances like lead and phthalates apply to essentially all consumer products – including textiles, childcare items, toys, cosmetics, and kitchenware.

Despite bans and restrictions, some products sold in the EU continue to contain high concentrations of restricted chemicals.

In this article, we list some of the most important EU regulations that cover substances in consumer products. We also explain how you can check if a product contains regulated or prohibited substances.
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Children’s Product Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Children's Product Regulations in the European Union

Children’s furniture and various types of childcare articles are usually not considered toys, which means that the Toy Safety Directive is normally not applicable. However, such children’s products are subject to safety standards, substance restrictions, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements.

In this guide, we explain how the GPSR, EN standards, REACH, and food contact materials regulations relate to children’s products. Note that this guide does not cover all EU requirements for children’s products, but it provides a broad overview and can help you understand the basics.

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