Category: European Union

Product User Instructions Requirements in the European Union: An Overview

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Product User Instructions

User instructions are generally used to provide useful information to consumers and users in general, such as how to install, properly use, or dispose of products. User instructions can also include battery replacement instructions, warning texts, and more.

Instructions are mandatory for a wide range of products sold in the European Union. Hence, failing to create a sufficient user instruction document could result in fines, product recalls, and other issues.

In this guide, we explain what importers, manufacturers, and Amazon sellers must know about creating user instructions for electronics, toys, and other products.
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Smoke Detector Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Smoke Detector Regulations in the European Union

Smoke detectors are covered by various EU regulations, directive, and standards. In this guide, we take a closer look at the Construction Products Regulation and various regulations and directives applicable to electronics and batteries, and how these relate to smoke detectors.

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Drone Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Drone Regulations in the European Union: A Complete Guide
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) defines “unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)” as drones, their systems, and controlling equipment. Such products are subject to specific regulations such as Regulation (EU) 2019/945 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Drones are also subject to regulations relevant to machinery, electronics, and batteries.

Non-compliant drones may pose a danger to humans and property. For example, a defective drone could suddenly stop functioning and crash. Drones can also interfere other radio equipment.

In this guide, we focus on the product compliance requirements for drones, not on the operations requirements such as the minimum age for remote pilots. Note that you can find more information on the EASA’s page dedicated to Drone Regulatory Systems.

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Camping Tent Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Camping Tent Regulations in the European Union

Camping tents imported and manufactured for the EU market must comply with various regulations and directives covering substance restrictions, labelling, documentation, and testing. There are also safety standards applicable to camping tents.

In this guide, we explain the relevance of regulations such as the General Product Safety Regulation, Biocidal Products Regulation, and REACH to camping tents sold in the European Union.
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Sleeping Bag Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Sleeping Bag Regulations in the European Union

Planning to import or manufacture sleeping bags for sale in the European Union? In this guide, we explain what you must know about various standards, labelling, testing, and other compliance requirements.

More specifically, we take a closer look at the General Product Safety Regulation, the Biocidal Products Regulation, and the REACH Regulation, and how these relate to sleeping bags.

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Warning Labelling Requirements for Toys & Other Children’s Products in the EU

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Some toys and other children’s products require warning labels before being sold in the EU. These can be warnings that caution the owner of the product from exposing it to children under certain ages or from being used by children in the absence of adult supervision.

These warnings intend lessen certain risks that children face when using the product. For example, products that contain small parts should come with a warning that explains that the product is not suitable for children aged three and below.

In this guide, we provide several regulations that have warning label requirements, examples of warning types, and different types of products that require them. There may exist other warning types that are not mentioned in this guide.

Methodology: The examples provided in this guide are retrieved from information contained in the Toy Safety Directive, the Toy Safety Directive Explanatory Guidance Document, and the General Product Safety Regulation.
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List of Product Liability Insurance Companies in the European Union

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Manufacturers and importers selling products in the European Union are ultimately responsible for product safety and compliance. However, product safety issues can be caused by unforeseen manufacturing defects or supply chain-related issues.

In short, importers and manufacturers cannot completely eliminate the risk of safety and compliance issues, which could result in personal injury or property damage.

Should the worst happen, product liability insurance can cover some of the costs involved. In this guide, we list some of the EU’s leading product liability insurance providers, located in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Belgium, and other countries in the EU.

Is product liability insurance required in the European Union?

Product liability insurance is generally voluntary. However, many retailers require that their suppliers, including European brands and importers, have product liability insurance coverage. Further, Amazon also requires sellers that reach a certain sales threshold to obtain product liability insurance.

Types of insurance providers in the European Union

Product Liability Insurance Companies

An insurance company sells insurance policies directly to the buyers. Some insurance companies also partner with brokers or agencies to sell their products. Insurance brokers or agencies market the policies issued by insurance companies. They may also offer additional services such as price comparison, consulting, or representation during a claim.

Not every insurance company offers product liability insurance. The types and coverage of product liability insurance are also different, depending on the terms specified in each policy.

Product Liability Insurance Brokers

An insurance broker is a company that represents the insurance companies to sell their insurance products. A broker helps buyers find suitable insurance products according to their needs and charges clients a commission or handling fee afterwards.
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Power Tool Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Power Tool Regulations in the European Union

Importing or manufacturing power tools for the EU market requires compliance with various regulations, directives, and safety standards.  Non-compliant power tools may pose mechanical, electrical, or other hazards to the operator – which could potentially result in severe injury or hearing damage.

In this guide, we take a closer look at the Machinery Regulation, Noise Emission in the Environment Directive, Batteries Regulation, and other compliance requirements for power tools in the European Union.

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Responsible Persons under the General Product Safety Regulation

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Request a free EU Authorised Representative Quotation Here

The General Product Safety Regulation requires that products that fall under its scope should have a responsible person who is based in the European Union.

This essentially means that an entity must be present within the EU that can be contacted by market surveillance authorities in case of compliance checks. This also impacts companies based outside the EU, that are selling to consumers located in the EU.

In this guide, we address common questions associated with the requirements for responsible persons under the General Product Safety Regulation.
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Authorised Representatives under the General Product Safety Regulation

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Request a free EU Authorised Representative Quotation Here

The General Product Safety Regulation requires covered products to have a responsible person related to them who is located in the EU. If your business is based in the US, the UK or other countries outside the EU, your company cannot fulfil the role of a responsible person.

Thus, in order to sell products directly to EU consumers from outside the EU, you must appoint an authorised representative to be the responsible person for your products.

In this guide, we cover the common questions related to the role of the authorised representative and the type of businesses that need them.
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