Regulations and Standards for Baby and Children’s Products in the United Kingdom

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Children’s products sold in the United Kingdom are subject to safety standards, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements. This is the case both for toys and other children’s products, such as high chairs, strollers, cribs, baby carriers, and drinking bottles.

In this guide, we take a closer look at regulations that are highly relevant to children’s products, such as the General Product Safety Regulations 2005, the Toys (Safety) Regulations, and the UK REACH regulation.

Note: This article does not cover requirements for Northern Ireland, which is generally aligned with EU product safety requirements.

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AI Act (Artificial Intelligence Regulation (EU) 2024/1689): An Overview

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AI Act (Artificial Intelligence Regulation (EU) 2024/1689)
The AI Act, or Artificial Intelligence Regulation (EU) 2024/1689, provides a framework in which artificial intelligence technologies can be regulated. It was created to support innovation. However, it also addresses possible risks to people’s health, safety or fundamental rights.

It contains requirements that cover artificial intelligence (AI) systems and AI models, including certain products that make use of AI technologies. Furthermore, the regulation categorises certain AI systems as high-risk AI systems, for which there are additional requirements such as CE marking, and Declaration of Conformity.

In this guide, we explain the regulation’s requirements and how they affect providers and other economic operators involved in AI technologies, including manufacturers of products that use AI systems.
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Crib Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Crib Regulations in the European Union

Cribs and crib mattresses must comply with various regulations, directives, and safety standards in the EU. Non-compliant and unsafe baby cribs and cots can be strangulation hazards. Paints and surface coatings can also contain excessive amounts of restricted substances.

In this guide, we explain how the General Product Safety Regulation, REACH, EN 1130, EN 16890, and other compliance requirements relate to cribs and crib mattresses imported or manufactured for sale in the European Union. Continue reading Crib Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Inflatable Pool Regulations in the United States: An Overview

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Inflatable Pool Regulations in the United States

Inflatable pools imported or manufactured for sale in the United States must comply with various safety standards, substance restrictions, labelling, certification, and testing requirements. The specific requirements differ depending on the age group. For example, inflatable pools for children are subject to more stringent requirements.

In this guide, we explain how regulations such as the CPSIA and 16 CFR Part 1450, as well as ASTM and ANSI standards, are relevant to inflatable pools in the United States.

Note that in this guide does not cover electrical components such as pumps that may accompany some inflatable pools.
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Inflatable Pool Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Inflatable Pool Regulations in the European Union

Inflatable pools imported or manufactured for sale in the European Union are subject to various safety standards, chemical restrictions, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements. Given the inherent risk with such products, ensuring compliance is crucial.

Further, the specific requirements that apply depend on various factors, such as the age group the pool is intended for.

In this guide, we take a closer look at the Toy Safety Directive, General Product Safety Regulation, REACH, and other EU compliance requirements relevant to inflatable pools. However, this guide does not cover requirements for pumps and other electrical components.

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Product User Instructions Requirements in the United States: An Overview

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User Instructions

User instructions are sometimes required for both consumer products and products used for commercial or industrial purposes. Even if user instructions are not mandatory, providing this information can reduce the risk of safety issues resulting in product recalls.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know about user instructions for various product categories – including children’s products, electronics, and protective equipment.

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Cosmetic Product Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

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Cosmetic Product Regulations in the United Kingdom

Cosmetic products sold in the United Kingdom must comply with various substance restrictions, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements. In this guide, we take a closer look at Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, UK REACH, and other compliance requirements relevant to skincare, haircare, makeup and other cosmetic products.

Additionally, we explain the differences between the UK and EU versions of the regulations affecting cosmetic products.

Note that even if some requirements may still be the same in the EU and UK, this may change as regulations continue to be amended and the two diverge further. However, note that the article excludes requirements for cosmetic products sold in Northern Ireland, which remains aligned with EU requirements.

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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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CE Marking Requirements in the United Kingdom: An Overview

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There has been a lot of confusion about the future status of CE marking in the United Kingdom since Brexit. In its place, products were supposed to be marked with the UKCA symbol.

However, the UK has since changed course and decided to accept CE marking for certain product types. This can simplify the product compliance process, as the implication is that a CE marked product could be sold in both the UK and the EU.

In this guide, we explain which products can be CE marked in the UK, and how CE marking differs from UKCA marking.

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Smoke Detector Regulations in the United States: An Overview

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Smoke Detector Regulations in the United States

Smoke defectors imported or manufactured for sale in the United States must comply with various safety standards and labelling requirements. In this guide, we take a closer look at UL standards, NRTL Approvals, 47 CFR Part 15, and other compliance requirements relevant to smoke detectors in the US.

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