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

Battery Directive Guide for EU Importers: An Overview

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Batteries

Planning to import batteries to the EU? In this guide, we introduce what importers and manufacturers should know about the Battery Directive, including restricted substances, labeling requirements, registration process, collection and recycling scheme, and testing companies providing product compliance services. Continue reading Battery Directive Guide for EU Importers: An Overview

Supplement Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

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Supplements

Planning or import or manufacture supplements in the European Union? In this guide, we cover the basics of substance restrictions, labeling, notification, documentation, and lab testing requirements for a range of supplements products in the EU.

Supplements are considered as food products in the EU and are mainly regulated by Directive 2002/46/EC – which we cover in more detail in this guide. That said, other regulations may apply if the supplements contain colorants or sweeteners. Continue reading Supplement Regulations in the European Union: An Overview

Amazon Manufacturer & Importer Address Requirements Guide

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As you’re reading this you’ve likely received a message from Amazon rejecting your packaging labels as non-compliant. We keep receiving such reports from Amazon sellers on a weekly basis, with increasing frequency – and decided it was about time to dig deeper into this. Continue reading Amazon Manufacturer & Importer Address Requirements Guide

California Proposition 65 Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

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California Prop 65 lab testing

California Proposition 65 restricts more than 800 chemicals and heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, and phthalates. Further, California Proposition 65 applies to consumer products for all age groups.

In this guide, we explain what Amazon sellers, importers, and manufacturers must know about California Proposition 65 lab testing – including costs, sample submissions, lead times, failed test results, and more. Continue reading California Proposition 65 Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

Dropshipping Product Safety and Compliance Risks: An Overview

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If you’re reading this article you’re likely a dropshipping seller worried about the prospect of unknowingly selling unsafe and non-compliant products. If you ask me, you have reason to be.

There’s are far more questions than answers when it comes to product safety and compliance when it comes to dropshipping. As such, I wrote this article as a reflection on my experience with both sellers and suppliers in the dropshipping world.

Important: This article is not aimed at any particular dropshipping supplier, online marketplace, or service. This article only raises broad and general issues related to product compliance and dropshipping. Continue reading Dropshipping Product Safety and Compliance Risks: An Overview

Product Traceability Requirements in the United States: An Overview

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Product Traceability Requirements

Product traceability includes batch numbers, and other product and packaging labels, that can help in tracing products to a certain production run, and factory. Tracing products is critical when it comes to recalling defective and potentially unsafe products, or for the sake of linking products to certain documents. Traceability is often part of mandatory compliance requirements, such as the CPSIA Tracking Label.

In this guide, we cover what American importers and manufacturers must know about product traceability requirements for children’s products, apparel, medical devices, and more. Continue reading Product Traceability Requirements in the United States: An Overview

Single-Use Plastics Regulations in the United States: An Overview

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Single-use cutlery

Single-use plastic products, such as plastic straws, cutlery, and cups, are slowly being phased out in the United States. In this guide, we explain what American importers and manufacturers must know about single-use plastic regulations, bans, and exemptions in California, New York, Oregon, and many other states. Continue reading Single-Use Plastics Regulations in the United States: An Overview

RoHS Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide

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The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive restricts chemicals and heavy metals in electronic products imported to or manufactured in the European Union. Ensuring compliance requires lab testing at some level in the supply chain – be it the final assembled product, individual components, or even raw materials. In many cases, importers opt for a combination of these.

In this guide, we explain what you must know about RoHS lab testing options, costs, substance limitations, compliance risks, Amazon requirements, and more. Continue reading RoHS Product Lab Testing: A Complete Guide