Product certification and compliance indicate the safety and reliability of the products. It is important for the selling on market, especially for some special products. But many people usually forget it or feel difficult to make sense of all the different certifications. In this post, you can jump in the deep.

What is product compliance and certification?

Product compliance means that the product meets all legal regulations and standards applied on it for consumer safety, environment protection, etc. For example, lead and phthalate content of the children’s product in the USA should be compliant with the requirements of CPSIA.

To affirm product compliance, the product should pass all required performance testing in laboratories and get relevant written certificates. This verified process is product certification. For example, you send your product sample to the lab to test whether the lead and phthalate content is within the standard.

Why does product certification matter?

Now governments around the world establish product certification systems through legislation to ensure the quality and safety of products and safeguard the vital interests of consumers.

Once a product has passed certification, it can obtain a certificate and allow to use the certification mark. This internationally recognized method is a passport for products to enter the market and the following risks can be reduced:

  • being detained and investigated by customs
  • being investigated by market supervision authorities
  • being accused by peers for competitive purposes

In addition, production certification is a commitment to your consumers. Consumers can identify the quality and safety of the product through the certification mark. It increases consumers’ trust in the product and will be easier to accept the product.

How can you get your product certificated?

You need to find a qualified and authoritative third-party organization to test your product and issue relevant certificates. You can search for them on Google, or you can ask your supplier or sourcing agent if they have cooperative ones. It should be noted that some certification regulations also specify the testing organizations they accept.

The certification process for different products vary, but usually involves four steps: application, sample submission, testing, and certification issuance.

  • First, you need to apply to the certification organization and send the product to the testing laboratory (you can also ask your supplier to help you apply and send the product).
  • After receiving the product, the testing laboratory will test it according to certification regulation and collect the result data.
  • The product certification organization will review your application information and product testing data.

If the data shows that the product meets all the required standards, the test is passed. You will then receive your product certification and can use the certification mark on your product.

What are the common types of product certification?

There are many types of product certifications. Different countries have different requirements. Here are some examples of common product certifications in the US and Europe:

Product certification in USA

FCC

FCC certification is mandatory for electronic and electrical products to be sold in the US. A wide range of product categories require FCC certification, such as wireless radio applications, communication products, and various lighting products.

There are two types of FCC certifications: FCC-SDOC for non-wireless products like humidifiers and electric fans, and FCC-ID for wireless products like smartphones, and Bluetooth speakers.

UL

UL certification is voluntary in the US. It focuses on testing and certifying the safety of products. UL certification covers a wide range of products, from large machinery to component materials. In the US, UL certification has become a trend, and generally. Products related to electricity can apply for UL certification, such as mobile phone batteries, laptops, and chargers.

FDA

Food, medicine, cosmetics, health care products, medical devices, and radiation products (such as components containing lasers, microwaves, X-rays, etc.) entering the US must have FDA filing and registration.

When these products arrive at the port of the United States, they are subject to random sampling. Only when the samples pass the checks, can the products be released. If not, the product will be detained.

CPSIA

CPSIA is the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. It requires toys and children’s products to be tested by CPSC-accredited laboratories to ensure that they are free of harmful substances such as lead and phthalates.

DOT

DOT certification is mandatory. All motor vehicles and their accessories sold in the US need to pass DOT certification.

Product certification in EU

CE

CE certification is a safety certification mark in EU, which can also be called “CE” mark. In the EU market, “CE” mark is mandatory. It means that the product is in accordance with European product regulations and standards. Products with the CE mark can be sold in all EU countries. Generally, most products exported to EU require a CE certification.

RoHS

RoHS restricts 10 harmful substances content used in electrical and electronic products. It is mandatory in the EU for electrical and electronic products. If without RoHS3 certification, your product will be withdrew from the EU market and you will face huge fines, even imprisonment.

REACH

REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. It is a regulation for the preventive management of chemicals. Products containinng substances of very high concern (SVHC) are required to go through REACH certification, if the annual usage of the substance exceeds 1 ton and the substance content in the product is more than 0.1%.

REACH is also mandatory, but it restricts a larger scope of substances than RoHS, and covers almost all products including electronic and electrical products. RoHS and REACH do not affect each other. If there are overlapping requirements, the stricter one should be applied.

EN71

EN71 is the regulatory standard for toy products in the EU market, in order to reduce or avoid harm to children from toys. EN 71 lab testing is mandatory. Toys entering the EU market must comply with this toy safety directive.

Let JingSourcing help you source products from China

We have helped many of our clients import products to the USA and EU, so we are quite familiar with the process.

We can quickly find a suitable factory to produce your products. These factoroes are experienced in the European and American markets and are familiar with the product standards and requirements.

We can help you determine what product certifications are required and prepare certificates, to ensure that products can pass the customs inspection smoothly and enter the market for sale.

We can also arrange shipping to your country. With long-term cooperation with many freight forwarders, we have multiple shipping routes and various shipping methods. So we have the ability to deliver the goods to your destination on time and at a competitive price.

Start with JingSourcing to import from China. 

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