Category: European Union

European Union Product Labelling Requirements: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 98 Comments

Various types of labelling requirements apply to essentially all products manufactured or imported for sales in the European Union. These are normally part of regulations and directives, such as the Low Voltage Directive or General Product Safety Regulation.

EU labelling requirements cover compliance symbols, such as the CE mark and WEEE mark, traceability, and more.

Failing to correctly label the product and packaging can result in fines or a recall – which is why it’s so important to understand the requirements that cover your products.

Note that this guide doesn’t cover packaging recycling symbols, which can be found here.

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Microplastic Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Microplastics are particles that are smaller than 5 mm and made of polymers and additives. These can be found in products such as cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaning products.

Microplastics can get released into the environment, harming it. As such, the EU now restricts microplastics and products and mixtures that contain intentionally added microplastics.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers should know about microplastics, including which products may contain them, whether these are banned, and how the REACH and EU Ecolabel Regulations restrict microplastics.
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Ecodesign Directive: An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 3 Comments

Ecodesign Directive

The EcodesThe Ecodesign Directive establishes a framework for general requirements and specific implementing measures for various energy-related products, such as vacuum cleaners, computers, and refrigerators.

In this guide, we explain the directive’s product scope and provide information concerning conformity assessment, documentation, labelling, and other requirements.
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Technical Documentation for CE Marked Products in the EU

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 5 Comments

Technical documentation, also referred to as a technical file, is mandatory for most products that require CE marking in the European Union. As such, technical documentation is mandatory for electronics, toys, protective equipment, medical devices, machinery, and more.

However, understanding what to include in your technical documentation, and how to actually go about creating it, can be challenging.
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Extended Producer Responsibility in France – Q&A with Léko

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Extended Producer Responsibility in France

Extended Producer Responsibility (PRO) is covered by provisions of the European Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive 94/62/EC. In practice, EPR requires producers (which includes brands, importers, or manufacturers) to finance packaging waste collection.

This is managed on a national level, by approved organisations. In France, Léko is one such Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO).

In this guide, they share what businesses selling products in France must know about the EPR registration process, fees, Triman, and other packaging waste instructions.
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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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List of CE Marking Service Companies: Our Top 16 Picks

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 10 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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