Heavy Metals Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

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Heavy Metals Regulations in the United Kingdom

This article covers heavy metal regulations in consumer products sold in the United Kingdom. If you intend to import or manufacture products like the following, then this article is relevant to you:

  • Electronic products
  • Batteries
  • Food contact materials (FCMs)
  • Cosmetics
  • Packaging
  • Toys

This article does not apply to Northern Ireland as they still follow EU regulations.
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Phthalate Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

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Phthalate Regulations in the United Kingdom

Increasingly, phthalates are seen as dangerous when exposed to too much of them. Various jurisdictions, including the UK, are requiring importers and manufacturers to test their products for the presence of phthalates before allowing such products to be placed on the market.

In this article, we explain what phthalates are and why they are one of the more important substances to look out for when importing and manufacturing products in the UK. However, this article does not cover regulations in Northern Ireland.

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Food Contact Material Regulations in the United Kingdom

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Food Contact Material Regulations in the United Kingdom

Are you importing or manufacturing food contact materials (FCM) products for the UK market? Applicable regulations might vary according to the type of product and material. Also, depending on the product, you would have to observe FCM regulations which may continue to come from EU regulatory sources.

This article covers documentation, labelling and other requirements that are applicable to various FCMs. This article does not cover FCM regulations for Northern Ireland.
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Packaging Materials Regulations in the United Kingdom: A Summary

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Packaging Materials Regulations in the United Kingdom

Product packaging materials are subject to various regulations and standards in the United Kingdom, applicable both to packaging materials as a category – and product packaging for consumer products. As such, packaging materials regulations are relevant to importers, manufacturers, distributors, and other businesses trading physical products.

In this guide, we cover The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations, UK REACH, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and other compliance requirements for packaging materials..

Note that this article does not cover packaging material regulations in Northern Ireland.

What is a packaging material?

A packaging material refers to most materials used to hold, protect, handle, deliver, and in the presentation of goods, and includes packaging for raw materials right through to finished goods to be sold or being sold.

Examples of packaging material include:

  • Paperboard boxes
  • Aluminum
  • Foam
  • Flexible plastic packaging
  • Cardboard/Fiberboard

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United Kingdom Product Labelling Requirements: An Overview

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Are you importing or manufacturing goods for the UK market? If so, you will likely need to comply with certain product and packaging labelling requirements. Additionally, some categories of products require a mark of compliance (e.g. UKCA Mark) to be placed in the UK market.

In this article, we cover most of the common labels found in various products sold in the United Kingdom, including electronics, toys, and food contact products. This article does not apply to Northern Ireland as they follow EU rules.
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Furniture Regulations and Standards in the United Kingdom

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Furniture Regulations and Standards in the United Kingdom

Are you importing or manufacturing furniture products in the United Kingdom? Depending on the furniture, certain regulations may apply to your product and require you to have your product tested and labelled in a particular manner.

In this article, we cover relevant safety regulations and standards affecting various furniture products placed in the UK, such as the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations or the Timber and Timber Products Placing on the Market Regulations. This article does not apply to Northern Ireland as they follow EU rules.

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Clothing and Textiles Regulations and Standards in the UK

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Clothing Regulations in the UK

Do you intend to import or manufacture clothing or other textile goods in the UK? In this article, we cover regulations and standards applicable to clothing and textile goods manufactured or imported into the United Kingdom. This includes substance restrictions, labelling requirements, lab testing, and more.

This article does not apply to Northern Ireland because it still follows EU regulations.

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UK REACH for Importers and Manufacturers: An Essential Guide

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UK REACH Guide

Do you intend to manufacture or sell products in the UK? If so, REACH compliance is likely required. In practice, REACH requires that your products don’t contain restricted chemicals, heavy metals, and other substances above the set limits. Examples include lead, cadmium, and various phthalates.

In this guide, we list some product categories covered by the UK REACH regulation in the United Kingdom and provide information on the differences between the pre-Brexit and post-Brexit REACH limits.

Note that this article does not apply to Northern Ireland as Northern Ireland still follows EU REACH.

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Toy Regulations and Standards in the UK: An Essential Guide

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Toy Regulations in the UK

Are you an importer or manufacturer interested in placing toy products in the UK market? In this guide, we explain what UK-based importers and manufacturers must know about toy regulations, safety standards, lab testing, documentation, and labeling requirements.

We also cover CE marking and the more recent UKCA marking requirements applicable to toys.

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Electronic Product Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

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Planning to import, manufacture or sell electronics in the UK post Brexit? This guide covers electronic product regulations in the United Kingdom, excluding those that relate to Northern Ireland.

As a former member of the European Union, the UK has its own legislation that corresponds with EU legislation for specific products. For instance, the following UK legislations relate to the following EU legislative titles respectively:

a. Electromagnetic Compatibility Regulations 2016 – Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive

b. Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2016 – Low Voltage Directive

c. Radio Equipment Regulations 2017 – Radio Equipment Directive

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