Product Safety RequirementsFor US & European Importers

A Webinar Presented by Chinaimportal.com

Copyright 2017/2018: www.chinaimportal.com I Image Copyright: www.depositphotos.com

Today you will learn the basics of product safety, labeling requirements & lab testing

Presentation OverviewA. Main Presentation

- Part 1: What is Product Compliance?- Part 2: How to ensure compliance with importing from China

B. Starter Package 2018

- How we can help you comply with mandatory regulations

About the presenter: Fredrik Gronkvist● Co-founder of Chinaimportal.com

● Based in Shanghai since 2011

● Expert in product development and sourcing in Asia

● Contributing articles to Global Sources and Alibaba

About ChinaImportal.com● A comprehensive and widely respected online knowledge base for

importers (www.chinaimportal.com/blog)

● 180+ articles, guides and interview with leading industry experts

● We also develop and sell information products for Importers

This Webinar will take about one hour

Got questions?Use the contact form!

(We reply to all questions within 24 hours)

Okay, let’s get started!

Part 1: What is Product Compliance?

The Four Elements1. Safety Standards / Substance RestrictionsISO, EN or REACH

2. Document RequirementsProduct Certificates, DoC, Technical File

3. Testing / Verification RequirementsOften mandatory, but not always

4. Labeling RequirementsCE Mark, FCC, “Made in China”, Textile Labels

Which products are regulated?Very strict

- Toys & Children’s Products

- Electronics, Machinery, Energy, Medical Devices, Vehicles

- Food Contact Materials, Kitchen Utensils

- Chemicals, Cosmetics, Pharmaceuticals

Not as strict (but regulated)

- Furniture

- Apparel, Textiles, Watches and Jewelry (for adults)

The Importer is always legally responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable regulations

Importing non-compliant products is illegal and can result in heavy fines and forced product recall

A brief overview of product regulations in the United States

- Toys: CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act): Technical, Substances, Documentation, Labeling

- Substances: CA Prop 65: Labeling, Substances

- Electronics: FCC: Technical, Labeling, Documentation

- Food Contact Materials: 16 CFR: Substances, Labeling

- Consumer Goods: CPSC: Substances

- All Products Labeling Requirements: Country of Origin, Apparel Labeling

A brief overview of product regulations in the European Union

- REACH: Substances (All products)

- “CE Marking Directives”: Technical, Substance, Labeling, Documentation

- EU Food Contact Materials Framework Regulation

- RoHS (Actually a part of CE): Substances in Electronics

- Apparel Labeling Requirements

What about other countries?

“How do I find out which regulations apply to a product?”

1. Government services: CPSC Small Business Ombudsman (USA), Local authorities in the EU

2. Consultants and lawyers

3. Online Platforms: ProductIP.com

4. Legal texts on government websites

5. Starter Package 2018

Now: 4 Case Studies

Got questions?Use the contact form!

(We reply to all questions within 24 hours)

Children’s Products (USA): CPSIAStep 1: Assess applicable ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) standards

Step 2: Submit samples for testing (and implement a testing strategy)

Step 3: Create all the mandatory documents (i.e., Children’s Product Certificate)

Step 4: Create labeling files (and submit to your manufacturer) (i.e., tracking label)

Summary: CPSIA outlines very specific requirements. This makes the process straightforward.

Apparel & Textiles: EU1. REACH regulates substances in all consumer products.

2. Products that contain restricted substances in amounts greater than the max. allowed levels are illegal.

3. Compliance is always mandatory. Lab testing is not mandatory.

4. Authorities and consumer have the right to request substance test reports

5. Mandatory Care Labels & Fiber Composition (i.e., 100% Cotton)

Kitchen Utensils: EU

1. EU Food Contact Material Framework

2. Restricts Chemicals & Heavy Metals

3. You must issue a Declaration of Conformity

4. Document Requirements: Declaration of Conformity

5. Lab testing: Mostly Optional

Watches: USA1. Mandatory Safety Standards / Technical Standards: None

2. Substance Restrictions: CA Prop 65, CPSC

3. Labeling: Origin of Movement = Country of Origin

(This is why watches assembled in Shenzhen are not labeled as

“Made in China” but “Japanese Movement”)

Summary: Focus on the labeling requirements.

Part 2: Ensuring compliance when importing from Asia

Product Compliance + China = Complicated1. Most suppliers in China are not aware of EU and US product regulations

2. It is not the supplier's responsibility to keep track of foreign regulations

3. You must create all documents and labeling files (not the supplier)

4. You must inform the supplier of which standards the product must comply with

(i.e., ASTM F963 or REACH)

How do you know if a supplier can manufacture compliant products?

1. A supplier's capability to ensure compliance must not be taken for granted

2. Capability = Expertise + Access to compliant materials and components

3. Only suppliers with a history of exporting to the EU and the US tend to have the “capability to ensure compliance”

4. Verify the supplier's “compliance track record” = test reports and other documents

A compliance action plan for any product

Part 1: Research

- Applicable Standards- Document Requirements- Labeling Requirements- Testing Requirements

Part 2: Execution

- Assess the supplier's “compliance capability”- Submit instructions to supplier before manufacturing (required standards, labeling files etc)- Submit samples for compliance testing

What could possibly go wrong?

1. Incorrect product labels = Products may be seized by the customs

2. Death, injury or property damage = You risk a lawsuit, heavy fines and prison

3. Failure to prove compliance = Your product might be removed from Amazon (this happened a lot in December 2015)

4. Failure to provide documents = Products may not be able to pass through customs. You may be fined at a later stage.

Summary:As an Importer, you must:

a. Find out which regulations apply to your product

b. Find a supplier that can comply with you the applicable regulations

c. Create all labels, documents and submit samples for testing (if needed)

So, what did we learn here today?✔ Step 1: Find out which regulations apply to your product

✔ Step 2: Do a background check on your supplier (most cannot make EU / US compliant products)

✔ Step 3: Create all documents and label files

✔ Step 4: Submit products for lab testing

How do I take the next step?

“How do I take the next step?”

Option 1: Do it yourself

+ You save money- Very high risk of failure- Very time consuming

Option 2: Hire an agency

+ They will do it for you- Most agents are not qualified- You will pay thousands of dollars

Hiring an agency can be really expensive...

Service This is what you pay if you hire an agency or consultant

1. Create Product Specification US$500 - 1000

2. Supplier Sourcing / RFQ US$500 - 700

3. Sample Management ODM: US$300 - 500OEM: US$1500 - 2000

4. Agreement & Freight Booking US$1000 - 1500

5. Product Compliance 1. Standards Assessment: US$9002. Create Documents: US$30003. Create Labels: US$1000

Total: -$10,100

We offer an affordable alternative

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Use the Discount Code to Get This:

✔ Starter Package 2018: 30% Discount

✔ Selling on Amazon.com Guide (Value: $79)

✔ 1 on 1 Strategy Call Session (Value: $149) ✔ All 9 Product Categories (for the price of 1)

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Included Webinar Bonus: Selling on Amazon (Value: US$79)Part 1: Private Labeling, Packaging, Labels & Shipping

✔ Product Packaging Requirements

✔ Export Packaging Requirements

✔ Shipping Labels

Part 2: Quality Assurance (QA) for Amazon Sellers

✔ Amazon quality requirements, defect rates and returns

✔ How to avoid quality issues and delays (that can get your account suspended)

Part 3: Product Certification Requirements on Amazon

✔ Product safety standards and labeling requirements

✔ Document submission and product descriptions

1 on 1 Call SessionValue: $149

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Use the Discount Code to Get This:

✔ Starter Package 2018: 30% Discount

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The offer is valid for 72 hours

✅ You’ll keep your account, including all tutorials and templates permanently

✅ The Starter Package can also be applied when importing from Vietnam, India & other countries in Asia

Not based in the US or Europe?(We’ve got you covered)

Read more on www.chinaimportal.com/reviews

Use the Discount Code to Get This:

✔ Starter Package 2018: 30% Discount

✔ Selling on Amazon.com Guide (Value: $79)

✔ 1 on 1 Strategy Call Session (Value: $149) ✔ All 9 Product Categories (for the price of 1)

The offer is valid for 72 hours