European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) Guide For Importers

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European Union Timber Regulation

Timber and certain wooden products imported to the European Union must comply with the European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR). This regulation’s primary objective is to ensure that timber and some wooden products don’t originate from illegally logged forests.

In this guide, we explain what EUTR means in practice, in terms of covered product categories, supply chain monitoring, and documentation. Continue reading European Union Timber Regulation (EUTR) Guide For Importers

REACH Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

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The Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation sets bans, limitations, and notification requirements for chemicals, heavy metals, and other harmful substances. The regulation covers consumer products imported to or manufactured in the European Union.

REACH lab testing is necessary in order to determine whether a product or material is compliant. In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know about the testing process, why testing is important, cost examples, and more. Continue reading REACH Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

List of REACH Consulting Companies: Our 9 Top Picks

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Testing Lab

REACH compliance consulting firms are specialized in helping importers, brands, and manufacturers comply with the EU REACH regulation. For example, this includes everything from understanding the specific chemical and heavy metals restrictions for certain products and materials, lab testing services, documentation, and registration.

In this guide, we list some of the world’s leading consulting firms offering REACH compliance services. While REACH is an EU regulation, many of the listed companies are based outside the European Union, including the United States, China, and the UK. Continue reading List of REACH Consulting Companies: Our 9 Top Picks

List of Product Compliance Consultants and Law Firms in the European Union

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European Union Product Compliance Consultants and Law Firms

Compliance consultants can help with everything from researching safety standards to the actual creation of user manuals, label files, and compliance documents. They can act as a helping hand throughout the entire compliance process, or only take care of specific parts.

In this guide, we list some of the more well-known and established compliance consulting firms and law firms offering various types of product compliance-related services in the European Union.

Each company profile includes an introduction, service overview, and product scope. Continue reading List of Product Compliance Consultants and Law Firms in the European Union

European Union Product Recall Guide For Importers and Manufacturers

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Defective Phone

Unsafe and non-compliant products can be subject to recalls. This essentially means that you as a seller must arrange the return, replacement, and possible refund of the affected product. Product recalls are incredibly expensive and can spell disaster for smaller businesses.

Further, products can be subject to a recall for a variety of reasons, including chemical content, design safety flaws, incorrect labeling, and documentation.

In this guide, we help importers and manufacturers better understand how the recall process works in the EU. We also cover common safety hazards that can lead to a recall, the EU RAPEX system, and Amazon’s policy on product recalls. Continue reading European Union Product Recall Guide For Importers and Manufacturers

Laser Device Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Laser Device

Laser devices cover everything from basic laser pointers to hair removal lasers and laser welding machines. In this guide, we cover European Union compliance requirements for a wide range of laser applications in cosmetic dermatology, medical devices, machinery, and measurements. Continue reading Laser Device Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Children’s School Supplies & Stationery Regulations in the European Union

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Children’s school supplies and stationary are subject to various safety standards, testing, and labeling requirements in the European Union. In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers must know about the Toy Safety Directive, CE marking, REACH, GPSD, EN standards – and other compliance requirements applicable to children’s school supplies and stationary. Continue reading Children’s School Supplies & Stationery Regulations in the European Union

Buying EN Standards Online: A Complete Guide

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EN standards cover everything from electrical safety and substances, to mechanical toy safety. It’s often necessary that importers and manufacturers carefully study the technical aspects of all relevant EN standards even at the early stages of product development. That said, EN standards are generally not available for free – but must be purchased online.

Further, EN standards can often be purchased both digitally (PDF file) or as a physical hardcopy.

In this guide, we list several online stores where you can buy EN standards covering electronics, toys, textiles, medical devices, machinery, and many other product categories. Continue reading Buying EN Standards Online: A Complete Guide

Battery Directive Guide for EU Importers: An Overview

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Batteries

Planning to import batteries to the EU? In this guide, we introduce what importers and manufacturers should know about the Battery Directive, including restricted substances, labeling requirements, registration process, collection and recycling scheme, and testing companies providing product compliance services. Continue reading Battery Directive Guide for EU Importers: An Overview

Supplement Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Supplements

Planning or import or manufacture supplements in the European Union? In this guide, we cover the basics of substance restrictions, labeling, notification, documentation, and lab testing requirements for a range of supplements products in the EU.

Supplements are considered as food products in the EU and are mainly regulated by Directive 2002/46/EC – which we cover in more detail in this guide. That said, other regulations may apply if the supplements contain colorants or sweeteners. Continue reading Supplement Regulations in the European Union: An Overview