Category: United Kingdom

Extended Producer Responsibility in the United Kingdom: An Overview

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a 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

Möbius Loop Guide for the US, EU and UK

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

Möbius Loop Symbol

The Möbius loop is a widely recognized symbol that generally indicate packaging recyclability. The requirements for using the Möbius loop symbol differ depending on whether you sell in the EU, US, or UK.

For example, some regulations – such as 16 CFR Part 260 in the US – set requirements and guidance on how to use the Möbius loop symbol. For instance, importers and manufacturers might need to provide proof of their packaging’s recyclability or qualify their recyclability claims.

In short, you should not use the Möbius loop symbol unless you have something to support it. Even then, the requirements are not always crystal clear.

In this guide, we explain the meaning of the Möbius loop symbol, and how guidance regarding its usage varies across the EU, the US, and the UK.

Note that we always refer to “packaging” because, in the official documents we could find, the provided examples usually concern packaging products (e.g. cardboard boxes or food containers).

Continue reading Möbius Loop Guide for the US, EU and UK

Textiles Labelling Requirements in the United Kingdom

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

Textile Labelling Requirements in the United Kingdom

The Textile Products (Labelling and Fibre Composition) Regulations set labelling requirements for textile products in the United Kingdom. The Regulations refer to the European Union Regulation (EU) 1007/2011, which requires the provision of fibre composition information for textile products.

In this guide, we explain covered and exempted products, fibre composition requirements (e.g. 100% Polyester), and information concerning care and size labelling.

The second part of this article consists of frequently answered questions related to UK textiles labelling requirements.

Continue reading Textiles Labelling Requirements in the United Kingdom

UKCA Marking Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

Posted on by Yvette Shen — Leave a comment

UKCA Marking

The UKCA mark is essentially a replacement for the CE mark in the United Kingdom, in the years after Brexit. While not all products require a UKCA mark, the mark is mandatory for those products that are covered by one or more regulations with UKCA marking as a requirement.

In this guide, we explain which regulations require a UKCA mark, how it compares to the CE mark, and the requirements concerning the placement of the UKCA mark on the products and the packaging.

Continue reading UKCA Marking Guide for Importers and Manufacturers

Heavy Metals Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — Leave a comment

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.
Continue reading Heavy Metals Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

Phthalate Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading Phthalate Regulations in the United Kingdom: An Overview

Food Contact Material Regulations in the United Kingdom

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — Leave a comment

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.
Continue reading Food Contact Material Regulations in the United Kingdom

Packaging Materials Regulations in the United Kingdom: A Summary

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — Leave a comment

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

Continue reading Packaging Materials Regulations in the United Kingdom: A Summary

United Kingdom Product Labelling Requirements: An Overview

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — 1 Comment

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.
Continue reading United Kingdom Product Labelling Requirements: An Overview

Furniture Regulations and Standards in the United Kingdom

Posted on by John Vinod Khiatani — Leave a comment

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.

Continue reading Furniture Regulations and Standards in the United Kingdom