FAQ

As the children’s toy market continues to grow, consumer focus on toy safety has intensified. Countries and regions have established stringent safety standards to ensure toys do not pose risks to children. Standards such as ASTM F963-23, CPSIA (Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act), and CPC (Children’s Product Certificate) have become critical compliance benchmarks for toy production and sales. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing discusses what CPSIA testing entails and provides a guide to obtaining CPSIA certification for children’s raincoats.

What is CPSIA Testing?

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) is a U.S. regulation enacted in 2008 to protect children under 12 years old. It applies to products such as raincoats, toys, and baby products. The CPSIA ensures product safety by restricting hazardous substances, regulating physical performance, and mandating third-party testing. CPSIA certification covers testing for lead, phthalates, flammability, and physical safety, and requires companies to issue a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). For children’s raincoats to enter the U.S. market, CPSIA certification is mandatory and is widely recognized by e-commerce platforms like Amazon and retailers.

Material and Structural Analysis of Children’s Raincoats

Children’s raincoats are typically made of waterproof materials (e.g., PVC, polyester, PU coatings), dyes, zippers, buttons, or decorative components (e.g., reflective strips, drawstrings). These may contain hazardous substances like lead, phthalates, formaldehyde, or azo dyes, or pose physical risks such as strangulation, entanglement, or component detachment. These issues could lead to poisoning, skin irritation, choking, or entanglement risks, particularly for children aged 0–3 years. CPSIA certification comprehensively evaluates:

• Chemical safety of waterproof materials, dyes, and accessories.

• Physical safety of zippers, drawstrings, and decorative components.

• Safety performance under normal use and misuse scenarios.

Certification Items and Standards

CPSIA certification includes the following core items, aligned with CPSC regulations (16 CFR) and ASTM standards, tailored to the characteristics of children’s raincoats:

• Lead Content Testing: Tests lead levels in raincoat materials, coatings, zippers, or buttons, with limits of 100 ppm (substrates) and 90 ppm (coatings or surface treatments).

• Phthalate Testing: Tests for eight phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIBP, DPENP, DHEXP, DCHP) in PVC or PU coatings, with a limit of ≤0.1% (1000 ppm).

• Flammability Testing (16 CFR 1610): Evaluates the burning behavior of raincoat textiles or coatings, ensuring compliance with Class 1 flammability requirements (burn rate below the standard limit).

• Physical and Mechanical Performance: Tests the attachment strength of decorative components (e.g., buttons, reflective strips) to prevent choking hazards (using small parts test cylinders), and assesses drawstrings or zippers for entanglement risks (per 16 CFR 1500.48/49 to prevent strangulation).

• Chemical Substance Testing: Tests for formaldehyde (textile limit ≤75 ppm, stricter for infant products) and azo dyes (limit ≤30 mg/kg) to ensure no skin irritation or carcinogenic risks.

• Label Compliance: Ensures raincoats and packaging include permanent tracking labels (e.g., manufacturer, batch, date) and warning labels (e.g., “Adult supervision required for children under 3”).

CPSIA Testing Process

1. Consultation and Preparation: Contact a CPSC-accredited third-party testing agency, such as Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd., and submit product specifications, material lists (including waterproof materials, dyes, and accessory types), samples, and target market information (primarily the U.S.).

2. Sample Testing: The testing agency conducts lead, phthalate, flammability, and physical tests per CPSIA, 16 CFR, and ASTM standards, using equipment like XRF (X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer) and GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry). Testing typically takes 1–3 weeks, depending on material types and test scope.

3. Results Review: After testing, the company receives a test report. If non-compliance is identified, materials (e.g., switching to lead-free dyes or low-formaldehyde coatings) or designs must be adjusted, followed by retesting.

4. CPC Preparation: The company prepares a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC) based on the test report, including product description, test details, manufacturer information, and a compliance statement. CPC templates are available from the CPSC.

5. Market Access: Submit the test report and CPC to U.S. Customs, retailers, or e-commerce platforms (e.g., Amazon) to meet market entry requirements.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive CPSIA testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.

In modern electronic product manufacturing, RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) testing is becoming increasingly important, especially for companies planning to enter the EU market. RoHS testing not only pertains to environmental compliance but also directly impacts a company’s market competitiveness and brand image. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing shares insights on what RoHS testing entails and how to obtain RoHS certification for 3D printers.

What is RoHS Testing?

RoHS is a regulation introduced by the European Union to restrict the use of hazardous substances in electronic products. It encompasses the 2011 version and its 2015 amendment. The regulation applies to various electronic products, including 3D printers. RoHS restricts 10 hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, prohibiting their use in electronic products to ensure safety for both humans and the environment. If you plan to sell 3D printers in the EU, RoHS certification is mandatory, and it is also significant in many other countries.

How to Obtain RoHS Certification for 3D Printers?

1. Consultation and Preparation: Contact a professional testing agency, such as Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd., and submit the 3D printer’s product specifications, Bill of Materials (BOM), samples, and target market information (primarily the EU).

2. Sample Testing: The testing agency will use equipment such as XRF (X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) to test for hazardous substances. The process typically takes 5–15 working days, depending on the product’s complexity and the number of components.

3. Results Review: After testing, the company receives a RoHS compliance report. If non-compliance is found, materials or suppliers must be adjusted, and retesting is required.

4. Technical Documentation: Prepare RoHS technical documentation, including the test report, material declarations, and a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), for EU market access or customer audits.

5. Market Access: Submit the RoHS compliance report and technical documentation to meet the requirements of the EU market or other regions, as well as importers or e-commerce platforms (e.g., Amazon).

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive RoHS testing solutions for 3D printers. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.

With increasing global attention to environmental protection and human health, SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing has become increasingly vital across industries. For many manufacturers, understanding the SVHC list update cycle and relevant industry compliance requirements has become essential. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing shares insights on which country uses LFGB and how to obtain LFGB certification for baking molds.

Which Country Uses LFGB Testing?

LFGB testing primarily applies to Germany, where it is a regulatory requirement under the German Food and Commodities Act for food contact materials and articles. As Germany is a member of the European Union, LFGB test reports are often recognized by other EU countries as proof of compliance with relevant safety standards, allowing products to be sold in the EU market. However, LFGB test reports are not applicable in the United States, which has its own food contact material testing requirements, such as FDA regulations.

How to Obtain LFGB Certification for Baking Molds?

1. Consult a Professional Certification Agency: Start by contacting a professional certification agency, such as Ningbo Huabiao Testing, to inquire about specific LFGB certification requirements and the necessary documentation. Typically, you will need to provide basic documents such as product manuals, material composition lists, production process descriptions, and laboratory test reports proving compliance with LFGB standards.

2. Submit Samples: Send samples of the baking molds to the certification agency. The agency will conduct tests according to LFGB standards, including sensory testing (odor and taste) and chemical migration testing, to ensure that no harmful substances migrate into food during use.

3. Receive the Test Report and Certification: Upon completion of testing, the certification agency will issue a test report. If the results meet LFGB standards, they will provide an LFGB certification certificate. With this certification, you can label your product with the LFGB certification mark, enhancing brand image and customer trust.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive LFGB testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.

Food safety is a critical issue that affects everyone. While we enjoy delicious meals, few people realize that the safety of our dining tables is quietly safeguarded by seemingly unremarkable food contact materials. To ensure the safety of these materials, selecting a professional and reliable testing agency for food contact materials is of paramount importance. Below, the editor from Huabiao Testing discusses what LFGB testing entails and how to choose a trustworthy LFGB certification agency.

What is LFGB Testing?

LFGB certification covers a wide range of products and materials, including plastics, rubber, glass, ceramics, and more. Different certification agencies may have specialized expertise and extensive experience in specific areas. When selecting an agency, it is crucial to understand their certification experience and professional competence in the relevant field to ensure your product receives a professional and accurate evaluation. Additionally, confirm that the chosen certification agency is officially recognized and authorized. Consider your budget and time requirements to select a cost-effective agency, while remaining cautious and rational to avoid falling for false claims or misleading promotions from unreliable organizations.

What Does LFGB Testing Involve?

LFGB certification, a key standard for ensuring the safety of food contact materials in Germany, serves as a core component of the German food hygiene regulatory system and a reference benchmark for food contact material regulations across Europe. Its stringent testing requirements guarantee the safety and reliability of food contact materials, providing robust health protection for consumers.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive LFGB certification solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.

With growing global attention to environmental protection and human health, SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing has become increasingly critical across various industries. For many manufacturers, understanding the update cycle of the SVHC list and compliance requirements for relevant industries has become essential. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing shares insights on food contact material testing and the process for handling LFGB testing for dough mixer inner liners.

What is Food Contact Material Testing?

Food contact material testing involves safety assessments of materials and articles that may come into direct or indirect contact with food. These materials include packaging, containers, or transport materials made from paper, bamboo, wood, metal, enamel, ceramics, plastics, rubber, natural fibers, chemical fibers, glass, and coatings that directly contact food or food additives. The primary goal of testing is to ensure that these materials do not transfer harmful substances to food under normal use conditions, thereby safeguarding consumer health.

The scope of food contact material testing typically includes migration testing, composition analysis of packaging materials, heavy metal and hazardous substance testing, physical performance testing, and microbial and contaminant testing. These tests aim to ensure that:

• Chemical substances in food contact materials do not migrate into food.

• Packaging materials do not contain prohibited substances or exceed specified limits.

• Heavy metals and other hazardous substances do not enter the human body through food.

• The physical properties of materials, such as heat resistance, abrasion resistance, and scratch resistance, meet required standards.

When conducting food contact material testing, compliance with national and regional regulatory standards is essential. For example, Japan requires compliance with LWA 370 for food contact materials, while Germany adheres to LFGB (the German Food, Commodities, and Feed Code). Additionally, the European Union has relevant standards and regulations, such as EC 1935/2004.

How to Handle LFGB Testing for Dough Mixer Inner Liners?

1. Understand LFGB Certification Requirements

LFGB, the German Food, Tobacco Products, Cosmetics, and Other Commodities Management Act, imposes stringent safety requirements on products that come into contact with food. These requirements cover material composition, migration testing, and sensory testing (odor and taste).

2. Choose a Certification Agency

Ningbo Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive LFGB testing solutions to help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products are competitive globally.

3. Submit Product Samples and Documentation

Submit samples of the dough mixer inner liner along with relevant technical documentation, such as product manuals and material composition lists, as required by the certification agency. These materials will be used for a comprehensive evaluation of the product.

4. Conduct Testing

The certification agency will test the submitted dough mixer inner liner samples, including material composition analysis, migration testing, and sensory testing. The testing process strictly adheres to LFGB regulations to ensure the accuracy and reliability of results.

5. Obtain the Test Report

If the product passes the tests, the certification agency will issue an official LFGB test report. This report certifies that the dough mixer inner liner complies with LFGB regulations and is suitable for sale in the German and EU markets.

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, offers comprehensive LFGB testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our test data is accurate and reliable, and our test reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products succeed globally.

As global concerns about environmental protection and human health continue to grow, SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing has become increasingly critical across industries. For manufacturers, understanding the SVHC candidate list updates and compliance requirements is now essential. Today, Huabiao Testing explains what SVHC testing entails and how to conduct SVHC testing for ink.

SVHC Testing Overview

SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing is a key component of the EU REACH Regulation (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006), aimed at identifying and controlling chemicals that may pose significant risks to human health or the environment. For inks used in printing (e.g., packaging, textiles, or labels), SVHC testing assesses the chemical composition, toxicity, and safety to ensure no harmful substances are released during production or use. This certification is essential for ink manufacturers seeking access to international markets, particularly the EU, ensuring compliance and consumer safety.

SVHC Candidate List

• Maintained by: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

• Status: As of January 2025, the list includes 247 substances (updated January 21, 2025, with the 33rd batch adding 5 substances).

• Characteristics: Substances are listed due to their carcinogenic, mutagenic, reproductive toxicity, persistent, bioaccumulative, or toxic (PBT/vPvB) properties.

• Examples Relevant to Ink:

• Phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DBP): Used as plasticizers in ink formulations.

• Heavy Metals (e.g., lead, cadmium): Found in pigments or additives.

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Present in carbon-based inks or solvents.

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): In solvents or drying agents.

• Azo Dyes: May release carcinogenic amines in colored inks.

Regulatory Requirements

• Concentration Threshold: If any SVHC exceeds 0.1% w/w in an article or preparation (e.g., ink), suppliers must notify downstream users (e.g., printers, retailers). If annual exports exceed 1 ton, notification to ECHA is required.

• Information Disclosure: Companies must respond to consumer or client inquiries about SVHCs within 45 days (REACH Article 33).

• Annex XVII Restrictions: Some ink-related substances (e.g., azo dyes ≤30 mg/kg, PAHs ≤1 mg/kg) are restricted under REACH Annex XVII.

• SCIP Database: Articles with SVHC >0.1% placed on the EU market must be reported to ECHA’s SCIP database.

How to Conduct SVHC Testing for Ink

1. Product Identification

• Determine SVHC Relevance: Identify if the ink may contain SVHC substances based on its composition. Common ink components at risk include:

• Heavy Metals: Lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium in pigments or stabilizers.

• Phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP in flexible or UV-curable inks.

• PAHs: In carbon black or petroleum-based inks.

• VOCs: In solvent-based inks (e.g., toluene, xylene).

• Azo Compounds: In colored inks, potentially releasing carcinogenic amines.

• Ink Types: Assess water-based, solvent-based, UV-curable, or oil-based inks, as each may have different SVHC risks.

• Applications: Consider end-use (e.g., food packaging, children’s products, textiles), as food contact or children’s products require stricter testing (e.g., migration tests, EN 71-3).

2. Choose a Professional Testing Agency

• Consultation: Contact an accredited laboratory like Huabiao Testing to define the testing scope. Provide details on ink type, intended use (e.g., packaging, labels), and target markets (e.g., EU, U.S., Amazon).

• Accreditation: Ensure the lab is CMA/CNAS accredited for internationally recognized results, as offered by Huabiao Testing.

3. Submit Samples and Documentation

• Samples: Provide 2–3 ink samples (e.g., 100–200 mL per batch) or printed substrates (e.g., paper, plastic) if testing cured ink.

• Documentation: Submit:

• Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or composition list (pigments, solvents, additives).

• Manufacturing process details (e.g., curing method, drying agents).

• Intended use (e.g., food contact, children’s products) to determine additional tests (e.g., Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 for food contact).

4. Testing Analysis

• Testing Scope:

• Food Contact: Migration testing per EU No 1935/2004 or LFGB (e.g., ≤10 mg/dm²).

• Children’s Products: EN 71-3 (migration of 19 elements, e.g., lead ≤23.9 mg/kg) or CPSIA (lead ≤100 ppm, phthalates ≤0.1%).

• SVHC Screening: Test 20–50 high-risk substances (e.g., phthalates, heavy metals, PAHs) or all 247 SVHCs for strict clients or high-risk inks.

• Annex XVII: Test restricted substances relevant to inks (e.g., azo dyes ≤30 mg/kg, PAHs ≤1 mg/kg, DMF ≤0.1%).

• Additional Tests (if applicable):

• Methods:

• X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): Screens heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury).

• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): Detects phthalates, PAHs, VOCs, and azo dyes.

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Analyzes formaldehyde, azo compounds, and polar SVHCs.

• Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): Quantifies metals with high precision (detection limit 0.01 mg/kg).

• UV-Vis Spectrophotometry: Measures hexavalent chromium or specific dyes.

• Procedure:

• Liquid inks are tested directly; cured inks on substrates are extracted or scraped for analysis.

• Each component (e.g., pigment, solvent, additive) is assessed as a homogeneous material to ensure SVHC ≤0.1% w/w.

5. Report Issuance

• Report Content:

• Detailed results for each SVHC tested, including concentrations and compliance status (≤0.1% w/w).

• Annex XVII results (e.g., azo dyes, PAHs) with specific limits.

• Compliance statement for REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006.

• Non-Compliance: If SVHC >0.1%, the lab provides reformulation guidance (e.g., substitute phthalates with safer plasticizers).

• Usage: The report supports:

• REACH Declaration of Conformity.

• SCIP database submission (if SVHC >0.1%).

• Buyer or platform requirements (e.g., Amazon EU).

6. Review and Submission

• Internal Review: Verify the report for accuracy and completeness.

• Submission: Provide the report to:

• EU regulators or notified bodies (if required).

• Downstream users (e.g., printers, retailers) to confirm compliance.

• E-commerce platforms like Amazon (for EU listings).

• SCIP Notification: If SVHC >0.1%, submit article details to ECHA’s SCIP database within 6 months of market placement.

Why Choose Huabiao Testing?

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive SVHC testing solutions. Accredited with CMA/CNAS qualifications, our testing data is accurate and reliable, and our reports carry international credibility. We help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and ensure their products can be successfully sold globally.