CE Marking and Product Lab Testing: A Practical Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 20 Comments
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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.

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Children’s Clothing Regulations in the United States

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 8 Comments
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Planning to import or manufacture children’s apparel for sale in the United States? Then you must ensure compliance with mandatory standards, chemical restrictions, certification, and labelling requirements. This guide serves as an introduction to the CPSIA, Part 1120, and other compliance requirements applicable to children’s clothing.

  • You must design the garment based on applicable rules and standards
  • Third-party lab testing is required for children’s clothing
  • You must create a CPC and affix label information
  • eFiling is required for children’s clothing starting July 8, 2026

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Children’s Clothing Regulations & Standards in the EU

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment
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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.

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EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) Timeline: 2026 to 2040

Posted on by Ivan Malloci — Leave a comment
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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.

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Speakers and Sound System Regulations in the United States

Posted on by Ivan Malloci — Leave a comment
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Speakers Regulations in the United States

Speakers and sound systems sold in the United States are subject to regulations, standards, and licensing requirements. This guide explains what US importers and manufacturers must know about FCC rules, UL standards, and Bluetooth licensing for various types of speakers and other sound equipment.

Product examples

Here are some types of speakers and audio products covered by this guide:

  • Surround speakers
  • Smart speakers
  • HiFi speakers
  • Bluetooth speakers
  • Portable speakers
  • Children’s products with speakers
  • USB speakers
  • HDMI speakers

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Speakers and Sound System Regulations in the European Union

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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

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Home Textile Regulations and Standards in the United States

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Home Textile Regulations in the US

Home textile products imported or manufactured for sale in the United States are subject to various regulations and standards. The requirements range from chemical restrictions, to labeling and certification requirements.

In this guide, we take a closer look at home textile compliance requirements and related products:

  • Carpets
  • Rugs
  • Mattress pads
  • Curtains
  • Window coverings
  • Home textiles with filling materials
  • Home textiles for children
  • Beddings
  • Pillow cases

Some regulations and standards apply to components that are often incorporated in home textile products, such as operating cords.

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EU Packaging (PPWR) Authorised Representatives Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment
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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

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Guide to PPWR Requirements for Micro-Enterprises

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — Leave a comment
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Companies defined as manufacturers under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 must generally ensure that their packaging is compliant with the following areas:

  • Packaging design and materials
  • Substances
  • Labelling
  • Documentation
  • EPR

It is therefore essential to determine which company in the supply chain is defined as the manufacturer. This is not always obvious, as certain exemptions apply to companies defined as micro-enterprises.

This guide explains what these exemptions are and how packaging suppliers and companies selling products are impacted by exemptions applicable to micro-enterprises.

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Guide to FCC 47 CFR Part 15 Labeling Requirements

Posted on by Ivan Malloci — Leave a comment
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FCC 47 CFR Part 15 Labeling Requirements

FCC 47 CFR Part 15 sets labeling requirements that are applicable to most electronics in the United States. In this guide, we provide an introduction to some of the key labeling requirements for both unintentional and intentional radiators:

  • Compliance statement
  • FCC logo
  • Identification information
  • FCC ID
  • Labeling specific to certain devices

Note: Some information is required to be presented on or accessible via the product. That said, some information is only to be provided with the product (i.e., as part of instructions or other documentation).

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