Category: European Union

Heavy Metals Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 5 Comments

Products ranging from jewellery and watch cases to electronic components and toy paints may contain heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. The European Union strictly regulates – and in some cases, prohibits – the usage of these substances, due to their toxicity.

In this article, we summarise several EU regulations and directives covering heavy metals, including REACH, the RoHS Directive, and the Toy Safety Directive.
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Food Contact Materials Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 21 Comments

Food contact materials usually include products and packaging made to be in contact with food or beverage. This includes a wide range of consumer goods, such as baby bottles, lunch boxes, cookware, and cutlery. Naturally, there are regulations that restrict the usage of certain chemicals and heavy metals in such products.

In this guide you’ll find summaries of EU food contact material regulations, including product scope, labelling requirements, documentation requirements, testing, and more.

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Heavy Metals Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 2 Comments

PCB Factory

Lead, cadmium, mercury and other heavy metals are either restricted or banned for use in consumer products in most developed countries. This includes the EU, US, UK and many others.

Verifying that a product or material does not contain restricted heavy metals often requires third-party lab testing.

In this guide, we explain what all brands must know about heavy metals testing costs, materials, substance limitations, risks, and how to handle failed test results. Continue reading Heavy Metals Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Baby Feeding Bottle Standards and Regulations in the EU: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

Planning to import or manufacture baby feeding bottles in the European Union? Childcare products, including baby feeding bottles, are strictly regulated. More specifically, baby bottles must both meet strict mechanical safety standards, and food contact material regulations.

In this guide, we cover relevant safety standards, substance restrictions, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements.

In addition, this guide also covers compliance risks that baby feeding bottle importers and manufacturers must be aware of.

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List of Extended Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO) in the EU

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 1 Comment

The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is a policy that makes manufacturers and importers responsible for what happens to the packaging of their products after it has reached its post-consumer stage. This means that companies must pay a fee to a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), which in turn collects, disposes, and recycles their packaging.

In this guide, we introduce Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) in different EU countries, that can help your company comply with national EPR requirements. Every EU member state has a list of recognised Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO). In this article, we only list organisations that are PRO Europe members, which covers most EU countries. Continue reading List of Extended Producer Responsibility Organisations (PRO) in the EU

Recreational Craft Directive: Guide for EU Importers and Manufacturers

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Recreational Craft Directive

Planning to import or manufacture recreational crafts in the European Union? This article covers requirements regarding the Recreational Craft Directive, such as the product scope, conformity assessment procedure and modules, documentation, labelling, and lab testing.

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Gas Appliances Regulation: Guide for EU Importers and Manufacturers

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Gas Appliances Regulation

Planning to import or manufacture gas appliances and fittings in the European Union? This article provides information about the Gas Appliances Regulation requirements, including CE marking, documentation, harmonised standards, and testing requirements.

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SCIP Database Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

scip database
If you import or manufacture products for sale in the European Union, you likely need to comply with the requirements set by the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). This includes submitting information to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) via the SCIP database, when necessary.

In this guide, we explain when you need to submit information concerning your product via the SCIP database, how to submit the required information, what is the relation between the database and the REACH regulation, and more.

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Packaging Recycling and Sustainability Symbols in the EU: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 4 Comments

Are you planning to use packaging recycling and sustainability symbols on your products or packaging in the EU? This article covers several symbols, such as the Mobius Loop, the Green Dot, and the OK compost labels.

While most of the symbols we cover are voluntary, some might be compulsory in some countries.

Note: This article has been updated since the video was recorded. The video may contain some errors.

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What is fake CE marking?

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

fake ce mark on charger

Some products bearing the CE mark do so without actually being compliant with the required safety and technical requirements. Importing and selling such products can result in fines and sales bans.

In this guide, we explain what fake CE marking is, why such products are available, and what you as a business owner or consumer can do to reduce your risk.

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