USB Type-C Requirements in the European Union

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

USB Type C EU

Certain electronic devices can only be sold in the European Union if they are USB-Type C compatible. Further, compliance with EN IEC 62680-1-3:2022 and EN IEC 62680-1-2:2022 is required.

This guide provides a summary of the USB Type-C requirements outlined in Annex Ia of the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU.

Continue reading USB Type-C Requirements in the European Union

Undergarment Regulations in the European Union

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

EU undergaments

Undergarments sold in the European Union are subject to various chemical restrictions and labelling requirements. Some of these requirements apply due to the fact that undergarments are in direct contact with the skin, while others are relevant to specific types of undergarments, such as menstrual underwear.

Related products

This guide is relevant to the following types of products:

  • Women’s underwear
  • Men’s underwear
  • Children’s underwear and socks
  • Socks
  • Bras
  • Corsets
  • Period underwear
  • Hosiery and stockings
  • Tops

Continue reading Undergarment Regulations in the European Union

RoHS Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Posted on 3 Comments
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive restricts chemicals and heavy metals in electronic products imported or manufactured for sales in the European Union. In some cases, you can obtain RoHS test reports from your component suppliers.

That said, not all suppliers can provide RoHS test reports that can be traced and validated for a particular component. In such cases, RoHS testing is often necessary.
Continue reading RoHS Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

How much does CE marking cost?

Posted on 3 Comments
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

You do not need to pay any license or other fees to use the CE mark. That said, the purpose of the CE marking is to demonstrate that your product complies with all applicable EU regulations and directives that require it.

Delivering a product to the point where the CE mark can be affixed requires access to standards, design adjustments, documentation, labelling, and testing. These are also the things that can cost money.

This guide serves as a breakdown of the various costs associated with the CE marking process.
Continue reading How much does CE marking cost?

Who is Responsible for EU PPWR Compliance?

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 sets requirements applicable only to certain types of entities. In plain language, this means that what you must do to comply with the PPWR differs depending on whether your company is defined as a:

a. Manufacturer
b. Importer
c. Supplier
d. Distributor

It is therefore critical that you understand their respective definitions and can accurately find your place in the PPWR supply chain.

Further, companies can also be defined as producers (in addition to their primary definition), which results in additional extended producer responsibility (EPR) obligations applying.

Why should I read this guide?

Read this guide if you want to understand whether you are defined as a producer, manufacturer, importer, distributor, supplier, or other entity. You can read this guide to learn more about PPWR requirements:

Continue reading Who is Responsible for EU PPWR Compliance?

CE Marking and Product Lab Testing: A Practical Guide

Posted on 20 Comments
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

Product lab testing is generally required for electronics, batteries, toys, PPE, machinery, and other products which require CE marking. This guide serves as an introduction to testing requirements, processes, and costs relevant to CE-marked products.

  • You can only CE mark products that comply with harmonised standards
  • Testing is necessary to validate compliance with said harmonised standards
  • CE marking testing often starts from around 1000 USD or EUR

Note: Are you trying to determine if an existing product which requires CE marking has valid test reports? Then I suggest that you read this guide as well.

Continue reading CE Marking and Product Lab Testing: A Practical Guide

Children’s Clothing Regulations & Standards in the EU

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

Children’s clothing imported or manufactured for sale in the EU is subject to strict safety, chemical, labelling, and documentation requirements. In this guide, I explain how the GPSR, EN standards, REACH and other compliance requirements relate to children’s clothing.

  • Children’s clothing must be safe by design
  • Chemical restrictions apply to fabrics, zippers, and other materials
  • Labelling requirements apply to children’s clothing

Product examples

  • Baby rompers
  • Bodysuits
  • Sleepsuits
  • Swaddles and wearable blankets
  • Children’s swimwear
  • Children’s t-shirts
  • Children’s hats and caps
  • Children’s pants
  • Children’s outerwear

Note: The video was recorded a few years ago. The written article has since been updated and is more relevant to current requirements.

Continue reading Children’s Clothing Regulations & Standards in the EU

EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) Timeline: 2026 to 2040

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 is applicable from 12 August 2026. That said, the PPWR contains many requirements concerning labelling, documentation, EPR, and other aspects that only start to apply years later.

This guide serves as a timeline for PPWR requirements and their respective dates.

Methodology

Step 1: I mapped out all the articles mentioning a date*

Step 2: I determined if the requirement is relevant to either:

  • Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and other economic operators, or
  • EU Commission or Member States

Step 3: The respective PPWR requirements tied to a particular date were added to one of the two tables below

*Note that the table contains the dates identified during this stage. I cannot guarantee that I identified every single article or requirement tied to a specific date.

Continue reading EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) Timeline: 2026 to 2040

Speakers and Sound System Regulations in the European Union

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

Speakers Regulations in the European Union

Speakers and sound systems sold in the European Union are subject to mandatory product standards, labelling, documentation and testing requirements. This guide serves as an introduction to the requirements that must be met by both manufacturers and importers of speakers and other audio products.

Product examples

  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Portable speakers
  • Battery-powered speakers
  • Smart speakers
  • Sound bars
  • Floor speakers
  • Subwoofers
  • PA speakers

Continue reading Speakers and Sound System Regulations in the European Union

EU Packaging (PPWR) Authorised Representatives Guide

Posted on Leave a comment
Need help with compliance? Book a call here

The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 requires that companies selling products in the EU appoint an authorised representative for extended producer responsibility in the EU member states where they themselves are not established.

In this guide, we explain what EU and non-EU companies must know about the new authorised representative for extended producer responsibility requirements.

  • You may need an authorised representative for EPR in each EU member state
  • The requirement applies where you make packaging available
  • Applies to EU and non-EU companies
  • Some companies offer AR EPR solutions covering all 27 EU member states

Continue reading EU Packaging (PPWR) Authorised Representatives Guide