Tag: compliance

Product Regulations in the European Union: A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 5 Comments

Suggestion: Watch the 20 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Product regulations, such as safety standards and labeling requirements, are mostly ‘harmonized’ in the European Union.

As such, the same regulations apply in all member states. A product that is compliant in the United Kingdom, is therefore also compliant in Poland and Italy.

The European Union has arguably the most developed set of product regulations, covering essentially every product category from electronics and toys – to textiles and furniture.

In some cases, it’s only a matter of ensuring compliance with simple labeling requirements, while compliance for other products require lab testing and plenty of documentation.

In this article, we explain what startups and ecommerce companies must know, before importing products to the European Union.

European Union (EN) Product Safety Standards

The EU has developed standards that apply to specific products, materials or components. Below follows a few examples:

  • EN 54: Fire detection and fire alarm systems
  • EN 71: Safety of toys
  • EN 166: Personal eye protection. Specifications
  • EN 374: Protective gloves against chemicals and micro-organisms

Continue reading Product Regulations in the European Union: A Beginner’s Guide

Product Lab Testing in China: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 3 Comments

Suggestion: Watch the 10 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Having your products lab tested is the only way to be sure that your imported goods are safe, and compliant with all applicable regulations.

Importing non-compliant products is illegal, and can result in financial ruin if your cargo is ever seized by the customs authorities – or a forced recall.

But, how do you go about to actually get your products tested? That question, and many more, are answered in this complete guide to product lab testing in China.

Keep reading, and learn how to find the right lab, keep the testing costs down and why a test report is not always enough.

Why do I need laboratory testing?

As you may know, many products are regulated by one or more safety standards or chemical restrictions.

For example, children’s products imported to the United States are regulated by the CPSIA – which requires importers to present verifiable test reports from an accredited third party.

As such, a lab test report is simply a document that proves that a product is compliant with the relevant regulations and standards.

When it comes to some product categories, lab testing is mandatory, but not for most. As such, obtaining a test report is, in many cases optional. Continue reading Product Lab Testing in China: A Complete Guide

Product Compliance Requirements on Amazon: A Complete Guide

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist

Suggestion: Watch the 20 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Importing from Asia and selling on Amazon? That means you are fully responsible for ensuring that your product is fully compliant with all mandatory safety standards, labeling and document requirements.

Keep reading, and you will learn if your product category requires a pre-approval, and the documentation you must provide to Amazon’s category approval team to gain access.

In addition, we also explain why you cannot rely on your supplier to help you out, if something goes wrong – in which case your account may be suspended.

Who is responsible for ensuring compliance of products sold on Amazon.com?

The Seller is always responsible for ensuring that the product is compliant with all mandatory safety standards, labeling requirements and documentation requirements.

The supplier is not responsible, which means that it’s entirely up to you – as an importer and/or Amazon seller – to go through the compliance procedures.

For example, this may include the following steps:

1. Assess all applicable safety standards and chemical restrictions that apply in the target market, and communicate these to your supplier (before production)

2. Confirm all applicable labeling requirements, and create label files that you later send to the supplier (again, before production starts)

3. Follow up with lab tests, after production

4. Create all mandatory documents, such as photocopies and declaration of conformity

What you must do to comply in practical terms depend on the product and market. Continue reading Product Compliance Requirements on Amazon: A Complete Guide

FCC Certification when Importing from China

Posted on by Fredrik Gronkvist — 17 Comments

FCC Certification

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates all communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable in the United States. Electronics creates radio frequency energy by themselves, either intentionally (e.g. WiFi enabled Tablets) or unintentionally (e.g. Power Supplies). Therefore, the FCC scope of regulations also apply to most consumer electronics and electrical equipment, and not only products intentionally transmitting radio waves.

In this article, we explain the basics of FCC regulations, and what you must know to ensure compliance when importing electronics from China, and other Asian countries. Before we get started, I’ll explain the two classifications set by the FCC: Continue reading FCC Certification when Importing from China