The EU's laws and regulations on chemical procurement have the following specific requirements for imported products:
Registration requirements:
REACH registration: According to the Regulation on the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH Regulation), chemicals that have not been registered as required will not be allowed to be manufactured, imported or sold within the European Union. The registration scope includes chemical substances with a production capacity exceeding 1 ton per year in the EU market, chemical substance components with a production capacity exceeding 1 ton per year in formulations placed in the EU market, and intentionally released chemical substances with a total production capacity exceeding 1 ton per year in articles placed in the EU market. The EU only recognizes manufacturers within the EU, importers within the EU, and non EU manufacturers to fulfill their registration obligations through a sole representative within the EU.
Restriction requirements: The REACH regulation imposes restrictions on numerous chemical substances, such as limiting the use of lead, cadmium, phthalates, and other substances in different products. Taking phthalates as an example, their content is strictly limited in toys and child care products to protect children's health. The Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment (ROHS Directive) restricts the use of hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and their ethers in electronic and electrical equipment, and specifies the maximum allowable content of these substances in electronic and electrical products. For example, the cadmium content should not exceed 0.01%.
Classification, labeling, and packaging requirements: The EU Classification, Labeling, and Packaging Regulation (CLP Regulation) requires the correct classification, labeling, and packaging of hazardous chemicals. Importers must report the classification and labeling information of chemicals to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), ensuring that the packaging of chemicals meets safety standards. The labels must clearly indicate the hazardous characteristics, protective measures, and other information of the chemicals, so that users and transport personnel can understand their hazards and take corresponding protective measures.
Safety Data Sheet Requirements: According to relevant regulations, imported chemicals must provide Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that comply with REACH standards. SDS includes the physical and chemical properties of chemicals, toxicological information, safety operation guidelines, emergency response measures, and other content, providing users with comprehensive safety information.
Specific product category requirements: For example, toys must comply with the Toy Safety Directive, prohibit the use of certain allergenic fragrances, have specific restrictions on the migration of heavy metals and other chemicals, undergo relevant testing and ensure compliance with standards, and must have CE markings, traceable labels, as well as a declaration of conformity, instructions for use, and technical documents. Kitchen ware and food packaging materials that come into contact with food require that the substances in them must not migrate to the food they come into contact with. Different materials have different specific substances and migration restrictions, and laboratory testing is usually required to prove compliance with relevant regulations and comply with labeling and documentation requirements.
