CE Certificate of Conformity: A Complete Guide

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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 issuing company, product, and supplier.

In some cases, reputable companies like TUV Rheinland and Bureau Veritas issue certificates as part of a lab testing and document review procedure.

However, far from all CE Certificates of Conformity are issued based on actual testing and a file review procedure. On the contrary, many of these documents are issued based on nothing but the exchange of money for the sake of deceiving buyers who don’t know better. This can result in companies procuring non-compliant and unsafe products on the basis of fake CE certificates.

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.

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Product Recall Insurance: A Practical Guide

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Product Recall Insurance

Manufacturing defects and chemical contamination can result in extremely costly product recalls, even if you have taken every precaution to ensure product safety and compliance. However, product recall insurance covering some of the costs can help you limit the impact of recalls.

In this guide, we explain what product recall insurance is and what you need to know about required documentation, covered expenses, and more.
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How to Use Test Reports from Your Supplier: A Complete Guide

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How to Use Test Reports from Your Supplier

Using existing supplier test reports can help you reduce or even eliminate the need for third-party testing when buying ODM products, materials, and components. That said, such test reports can only be used under certain circumstances. Misused, relying on supplier test reports can result in fines and recalls.

This guide provides crucial insights from more than a decade of vetting test reports from hundreds of Asian and European suppliers. We have also implemented strategies for customers that are based on partial reliance on material and component test reports.
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Fake Product Certificates and Test Reports: An Essential Guide

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Product testing and certification can be expensive. Consultants and lab testing services can charge thousands of dollars. As such, suppliers have an incentive to cut corners by either creating or buying fake lab test reports and product certificates for a fraction of what it would cost to do it the right way.

In many, if not most, cases, suppliers are not even aware of the fact that the compliance documents are invalid.

The unfortunate result is that businesses buy non-compliant and unsafe products on the basis of fake test reports and certificates. This has the direct effect of exposing their own business to financial ruin and their customers to potentially lethal products. Think exploding phone chargers and toxic toys.

This guide explains what you can do to identify fake test reports, certificates, and other compliance documents.
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ASTM F963-23 Children’s Product Safety Standard: An Overview

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ASTM F963-23 is the latest version of ASTM F963, a safety standard that sets requirements for children’s products in the US. Compliance with ASTM F963-23 will become mandatory on April 20, 2024.

It covers requirements regarding chemical and heavy metals, mechanical, physical, and electrical safety, and more.

In this guide, we explain what you must know about ASTM F963-23, which products must comply with it, how you should ensure compliance, and where to buy the standard.

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Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Guide For Importers & Amazon Sellers

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A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) is often mandatory when importing or exporting certain products. This includes batteries, chemicals, cosmetics, oils, and other products that require certain precautions during storage and transportation.

Further, Safety Data Sheets are required by Amazon when selling products classified as Hazmat or Dangerous goods.

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FCC Certification Guide: An Overview

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FCC Certification

Planning to import or manufacture electronics in the United States? In this guide, we explain the certification authorization procedure requirements for devices that fall under the scope of FCC 47 CFR Part 15. This includes documentation, labeling, and testing requirements.
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SCIP Database Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

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scip database
If you import or manufacture products for sale in the European Union, you likely need to comply with the requirements set by the Waste Framework Directive (WFD). This includes submitting information to European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) via the SCIP database, when necessary.

In this guide, we explain when you need to submit information concerning your product via the SCIP database, how to submit the required information, what is the relation between the database and the REACH regulation, and more.

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Amazon Dangerous Goods Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

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Amazon Dangerous Goods

Are you planning to sell products potentially classified as “dangerous goods via the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service? In this case, you might need to ensure that your product complies with Amazon’s dangerous goods policy and submit documentation such as safety data sheets (SDS), exemption sheets, or test reports.

In this guide, we explain what products are classified as dangerous goods, what kind of documentation and information sellers need to provide, and the dangerous goods review process.

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