Tag: compliance eu

Bisphenol A (BPA) Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

A broad range of products can contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is used to enhance plastic durability. However, Bisphenol A (BPA) is restricted under various regulations in the EU due to its potential to cause harm to human health.

More specifically, Bisphenol A is restricted in consumer products, food contact materials, and toys in the European Union.

In this guide, we explain how regulations REACH, the Toy Safety Directive, and other regulations, including some national laws, either restrict or relate to Bisphenol A.

Continue reading Bisphenol A (BPA) Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Essential Oil Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

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.
Continue reading Essential Oil Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

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.
Continue reading Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation: An Overview

Extended Producer Responsibility in the United Kingdom: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 1 Comment

Extended Producer Responsibility in the United Kingdom
The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) extends a producer’s financial and operational responsibility regarding packaging and packed goods past the post-consumer stage. In practical terms, this means that UK importers and manufacturers may need to pay for the collection and disposal of packaging waste generated from sales.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements also cover registration, collection, and reporting – and labelling of the packaging.

In this guide, we explain EPR requirements in detail and provide information on a few EPR compliance scheme companies, which can help you to comply with the requirements.
Continue reading Extended Producer Responsibility in the United Kingdom: An Overview

CE Certificate of Conformity: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 30 Comments

A CE Certificate of Conformity (CoC) essentially states that a certain product is compliant with one or more regulations, directives or standards. It also includes information about the conformity assessment performed, the issuing company, product information, and suppliers.

In theory, this certificate is issued based on the issuing company reviewing or creating certain documents. This includes test reports and technical files.

However, as I will explain in this guide, far from all documents titled ‘Certificate of Conformity’ are valid and based on an actual conformity assessment. In short, many of these documents are invalid and can result in your products being subject to a recall, fines, or other penalties.

Alternative terms

Certificate of Conformity documents can have the following titles:

  • CE Certificate
  • Attestation of Conformity
  • Verification of Conformity
  • Certificate of Compliance

Some service providers also refer to these as voluntary certificates.

Continue reading CE Certificate of Conformity: A Complete Guide

Machinery Regulation: An Essential Guide

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 2 Comments

The Machinery Regulation lays down health and safety requirements for machinery, as well as partially completed machinery. As the definition of machinery includes products with moving parts, the regulation is also relevant for consumer products such as e-bikes or trademills.

In this guide, we explain what importers and manufacturers should know about the Machinery Regulation, including documentation, CE marking, labelling, and testing requirements.
Continue reading Machinery Regulation: An Essential Guide

Chemical Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Chemical Regulations European Union

Practically all consumer products sold in the European Union are subject to regulations governing the use of heavy metals, chemicals, and other substances. Specific bans and restrictions on substances like lead and phthalates apply to essentially all consumer products – including textiles, childcare items, toys, cosmetics, and kitchenware.

Despite bans and restrictions, some products sold in the EU continue to contain high concentrations of restricted chemicals.

In this article, we list some of the most important EU regulations that cover substances in consumer products. We also explain how you can check if a product contains regulated or prohibited substances.
Continue reading Chemical Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Children’s Product Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment

Children's Product Regulations in the European Union

Children’s furniture and various types of childcare articles are usually not considered toys, which means that the Toy Safety Directive is normally not applicable. However, such children’s products are subject to safety standards, substance restrictions, labelling, documentation, and testing requirements.

In this guide, we explain how the GPSR, EN standards, REACH, and food contact materials regulations relate to children’s products. Note that this guide does not cover all EU requirements for children’s products, but it provides a broad overview and can help you understand the basics.

Continue reading Children’s Product Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Magnet Safety Standards & Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — 3 Comments

Magnet Regulations EU

Magnets and products that contain magnets are potential safety hazards. As such, ensuring compliance with applicable safety standards, substance restrictions, and warning labelling requirements is essential.

Products that contain small magnets might be particularly dangerous. For example, there have been cases of children who swallowed magnets and required urgent surgery.

In this guide, we cover requirements for magnets such as those listed in the REACH Regulation, the Toy Safety Directive, EN 71-1 and the General Product Safety Regulation.
Continue reading Magnet Safety Standards & Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

What is the difference between REACH and RoHS?

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

difference between REACH and RoHS

The REACH Regulation and RoHS Directive restrict the usage of various substances. There is also some overlap in terms of the substances covered by RoHS and REACH, which can create some confusion. However, they differ in terms of product scope, substance restrictions, and labelling requirements.

In this guide, we explain and summarise what some of those differences are. We also include examples of restricted substances for both regulation, and the respective limits.
Continue reading What is the difference between REACH and RoHS?