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

Electronic Product Lab Testing in the European Union: A Complete Guide

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Electronics EMC Testing

Verifying compliance with the Low Voltage Directive, RoHS, EMC Directive, RED and other EU electronics compliance requirements require lab testing. In this guide, I share my experience with electronics lab testing – including cost examples, failure risks, using supplier test reports, and much more. Continue reading Electronic Product Lab Testing in the European Union: A Complete Guide

Clothing and Textiles Product Lab Testing in the EU: A Complete Guide

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Textiles Product Samples

Clothing and textiles lab testing helps importers and brands verify compliance with chemical and heavy metals restrictions, safety standards, and flammability standards. In this guide, I explain why testing is necessary, how you can reduce costs, manage failed test results, and much more. Continue reading Clothing and Textiles Product Lab Testing in the EU: A Complete Guide

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

Medical Devices EU Authorised Representative & UK Responsible Person Guide

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Medical devices

Request a free EU Authorised Representative Quotation Here

Medical Devices are one of, if not the most, complicated, and tightly regulated products to place on the market within the European Union and the United Kingdom. This is not helped by the change from the Medical Device Directive to the new Medical Device Regulations which come into force in May 2021. This has been further complicated by Brexit as different regulations apply in different areas.

The first step is to identify if the product is actually a Medical Device and then which of the Regulation actually applies. Keep reading, and learn what you must know in this article written by International Associates Limited in the UK. Continue reading Medical Devices EU Authorised Representative & UK Responsible Person Guide

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