One of the reasons for biodiversity loss on Earth is the wild animals and rare plants trade. Therefore, trade in specimens of selected species is restricted internationally by the Washington Convention, also known as CITES. We present who is a party to the CITES and what specimens are listed in the Convention.
The European Union has set a goal of minimizing the significant negative effects on human health and the environment caused by the production and use of chemicals. One of the measures against such effects is the REACH regulation. If you operate in the EEA (European Economic Area) as a producer or importer of goods that together contain one ton or more of chemicals (per year), you are required to record this in the REACH database. It applies to a wide variety of goods, from toys to textiles and electronic devices. Only registered substances may be put into circulation and used.
The SDS Safety Data Sheet (formerly known as MSDS – Material Safety Data Sheet) is a document required for all types of substances that are considered dangerous. Usage of goods containing such substances without the SDS is prohibited in all professional environments. The obligation stems from Art. 31 of the REACH directive – regulation (EC) no 1907/2006. This lengthy document includes descriptions of hazards of a given substance or chemical mixture, as well as a description of physiochemical data of the product. It also warns the user about the dangers of particular products and includes advice about safety precautions. Before you start importing such goods, make sure to check whether the supplier provides the Safety Data Sheet.
Children are prone to get harmed if the product they use is unsafe. Therefore, the are many regulations on the market, ensuring that toys and other children’s products do not put children in danger. One of such regulations is a requirement for a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) on the US market.
When running a business, the safety of your workers and clients should always be a priority. Some fields are riskier than others, and equivalent safety measures have been set to ensure the sold products are not dangerous to use. In Canada and the US, the best way to check whether or not a product is safe is to look for a UL certification mark. It indicates that the item will not in any way be harmful to the consumer and that it fulfills all necessary safety requirements. What is UL, how does it classify products, and how to obtain it for your business?
CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) is an independent, federal organization, protecting consumers from the risks associated with the use of various types of products. The agency has jurisdiction over a wide range of goods meant to be sold on the US market. Its measures contributed to a decrease in the rate of injuries and even deaths resulting from the use of consumer products. We present details related to the activities of the CPSC organization.
Following the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, there has been a transitional period during which the terms of trade between the UK and the EU are determined. One of the discussion’s subjects is a CE mark that applies in the EU. As the United Kingdom is no longer part of the Community, the CE mark will be replaced by the UKCA mark.
Thanks to the commonness of online B2B services, trading with China is getting easier. However, it results in entrepreneurs thinking that it is enough to order goods via the internet without going through any additional formalities. Unfortunately, when importing from China, we can come across many pitfalls. Therefore, one should always remember about protection measures such as partner verification or a commercial contract. In case of any problems with a contractor or goods, the contract with a Chinese supplier will allow us to assert our rights.
One of the critical issues in the import process is recognizing whether the goods you want to import are subject to directives and what requirements they should meet. If respective documents confirming compliance with the specified standards are not attached, the goods are likely to be held up in customs. Consequently, the goods cannot be placed on the market. However, the products could also be detained if your contractor sent counterfeit certificates that supposedly confirm the product’s compliance with EU requirements. Check what to look for in CE and test reports.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification is a worldwide leading standard concerning soft goods. It focuses on individual stages of the entire production chain of products made of natural fabrics. Its main purpose is to promote producing goods in accordance with respect for the natural environment, defining the criteria for its protection. We present details related to GOTS certification and answer the question of why it is worth to obtain such a marking.
