FAQ

With increasing global consumer focus on health and environmental concerns, the European Union introduced the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation in 2007 to enhance the safety management of chemicals and reduce the impact of harmful substances on human health and the environment. REACH testing ensures that chemicals produced and sold by companies comply with this regulation. Today, the editor from Huabiao Testing explains the difference between SVHC and REACH.

What is REACH Testing?

• Full Name: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals.

• Definition: A comprehensive EU regulation governing the entire lifecycle of chemicals, including registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction, and information communication.

• Objective: Ensure the safe use of chemicals, minimize risks to human health and the environment, and promote the substitution of hazardous substances with safer alternatives.

• Scope: Applies to all chemical substances manufactured, imported, or used in the EU, including those in mixtures, articles (e.g., products like toys, electronics), and standalone chemicals.

• Key Requirements:

• Registration: Companies must register substances produced or imported in quantities of 1 ton or more per year with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).

• Evaluation: ECHA assesses registered substances for safety.

• Authorisation: Highly hazardous substances (e.g., SVHCs) require authorisation for use.

• Restriction: Bans or limits the use of certain hazardous substances.

What is SVHC Testing?

• Full Name: Substances of Very High Concern.

• Definition: A specific category of chemical substances under REACH, identified for their severe potential hazards, such as carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity, or persistence and bioaccumulation in the environment. These substances are listed on the SVHC Candidate List, which is updated biannually by ECHA (containing 247 substances as of May 2025).

• Role in REACH: SVHCs are part of REACH’s authorisation process, requiring special attention and control. If a substance is on the SVHC list, it may eventually require authorisation or be restricted.

• Key Obligations:

• If an article (e.g., a toy or electronic device) contains an SVHC above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w), companies must notify ECHA and inform customers.

• If the total SVHC content exceeds 0.1% (w/w) and the annual export to the EU exceeds 1 ton, registration with ECHA is required.

Differences Between SVHC and REACH

Aspect

REACH

SVHC

Practical Implications

• REACH Testing:

• Mandatory for all companies involved in the EU supply chain, including manufacturers, importers, and distributors.

• Ensures compliance with registration, restriction, and information requirements across the chemical lifecycle.

• Example: A company exporting electronics to the EU must register substances in components and ensure compliance with restricted substance limits.

• SVHC Testing:

• Focuses on identifying whether specific high-risk substances are present in products.

• Required only if SVHCs are suspected or confirmed in articles above the 0.1% (w/w) threshold.

• Example: A toy containing a plastic component with a phthalate (an SVHC) above 0.1% requires SVHC testing, notification to ECHA, and customer disclosure.

• Market Context:

• REACH compliance is a prerequisite for selling any chemical-related product in the EU, ensuring broad regulatory adherence.

• SVHC testing may be driven by specific customer or market demands, especially for high-risk products like toys, textiles, or electronics, even if not always mandatory. However, it becomes critical when SVHCs are present to avoid penalties or market restrictions.

Recommended Testing Agency

Ningbo Huabiao Testing Co., Ltd. is a leading third-party testing agency offering comprehensive REACH and SVHC testing solutions. Key advantages include:

• Accreditation: CMA/CNAS qualifications, ensuring internationally recognized test reports.

• Expertise: Extensive experience with REACH compliance and SVHC testing for products like toys, electronics, and textiles.

• Advanced Equipment: Utilizes GC/MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) and ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) for precise SVHC detection.

• Comprehensive Services: Supports registration, testing, notification, and compliance documentation.

• Global Credibility: Test reports meet EU regulatory requirements, facilitating market access.

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

As global awareness of health and environmental concerns continues to rise, the European Union introduced the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation in 2007 to enhance the safety management of chemicals and reduce their impact on human health and the environment. REACH testing ensures that chemicals in manufactured and sold products comply with these requirements. Today, Huabiao Testing addresses whether crawling mats require CPC certification or REACH testing.

Should Crawling Mats Undergo CPC Certification or REACH Testing?

Crawling mats, commonly used by infants and young children, are subject to different regulatory requirements depending on the target market. Below is a detailed breakdown:

1. U.S. Market: CPC Certification

• Requirement: Crawling mats are typically considered children’s products (intended for children ≤12 years) under U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations, requiring a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC).

• Regulatory Basis:

• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA): Mandates compliance with safety standards for children’s products.

• ASTM F963: Standard Consumer Safety Specification for Toy Safety (applicable if the mat is marketed as a play mat).

• 16 CFR Part 1303: Lead content in surface coatings (≤90 ppm).

• 16 CFR Part 1307: Phthalates (e.g., DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP, DIBP, DnHP) ≤0.1% in accessible parts.

• Testing Scope:

• Lead: ≤100 ppm in substrates, ≤90 ppm in coatings.

• Phthalates (6P or 8P): ≤0.1% in plastics, foams, or coatings.

• Physical and Mechanical: No small parts, sharp edges, or choking hazards (ASTM F963).

• Chemical Safety:

• Flammability: Per 16 CFR 1500.3(c)(6)(vi) or ASTM F963, ensuring mats resist ignition.

• Sensory: No off-odors or harmful residues.

• CPC Process:

• Conduct third-party testing at a CPSC-accredited lab.

• Draft the CPC, including product details, test results, and lab information.

• Provide the CPC to distributors, retailers, or Amazon (for FBA compliance).

• Notes:

• Required for Amazon U.S. listings under the Children’s Product Policy.

• Testing focuses on infant safety (e.g., no toxic migration during mouthing).

2. EU Market: REACH Testing

• Requirement: Crawling mats must comply with the REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006), requiring testing for SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) and Annex XVII restricted substances. If marketed as a toy, EN 71 testing may also apply.

• Regulatory Basis:

• EN 71-3: Migration of 19 elements (e.g., lead ≤23.9 mg/kg, cadmium ≤17 mg/kg).

• EN 71-9: Organic chemical compounds (e.g., formaldehyde, phthalates).

• Phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DINP): ≤0.1% in toys/childcare articles.

• Azo dyes: ≤30 mg/kg in textiles (releases carcinogenic amines).

• Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): ≤0.5 mg/kg in plastics/rubber for children’s products.

• Formaldehyde: ≤30 mg/kg in textiles, ≤80 mg/kg in wood-based mats.

• Concentration >0.1% w/w requires notification to downstream users; >1 ton/year requires ECHA reporting.

• SVHC Candidate List: 247 substances (as of January 21, 2025, per ECHA’s 33rd batch update).

• Annex XVII: Restricts substances like:

• EN 71 (if toy):

• Testing Scope:

• SVHC Testing: Screen 20–50 high-risk substances (e.g., phthalates, formaldehyde, PAHs) or all 247 for strict clients.

• Annex XVII Testing: Test relevant restricted substances (e.g., 6P, azo dyes, PAHs).

• Physical (EN 71-1): No small parts or sharp edges (if toy).

• Chemical Migration: Ensure no harmful substances migrate during use (e.g., mouthing by infants).

• REACH Process:

• Test at an accredited lab for SVHC and Annex XVII compliance.

• Compile a technical file with test reports and material declarations.

• Notify downstream users if SVHC >0.1% and submit to ECHA’s SCIP database if applicable.

• Notes:

• CE marking may be required if classified as a toy, combining REACH and EN 71 results.

• Testing prioritizes infant safety due to prolonged skin contact and potential mouthing.

3. Multi-Market Compliance (U.S. and EU)

• Recommendation: Conduct both CPC certification and REACH testing to cover U.S. and EU markets, streamlining compliance for global sales, including platforms like Amazon and eBay.

• Overlap:

• Phthalates: Both CPSIA (6P/8P) and REACH Annex XVII (4P) limit phthalates to ≤0.1%, allowing shared testing.

• Lead: CPSIA (≤100 ppm) and EN 71-3 (≤23.9 mg/kg migration) can be tested concurrently.

• Formaldehyde: Tested under REACH (Annex XVII) and may align with CPSIA for sensory safety.

• Strategy:

• Perform comprehensive testing for phthalates, lead, formaldehyde, and PAHs to cover CPSIA, REACH, and EN 71 requirements.

• Include flammability (ASTM F963 for U.S., EN 71-2 for EU) and physical safety tests.

• Use a lab like Huabiao Testing to consolidate testing, reducing costs and time.

• Benefits:

• Meets Amazon’s U.S. (CPC) and EU (REACH, CE) listing requirements.

• Simplifies compliance for cross-border e-commerce.

How to Conduct CPC Certification and REACH Testing for Crawling Mats

1. Determine Testing Scope

• Material: Common crawling mat materials include EVA foam, PVC, polyester textiles, or polyethylene (PE).

• Use Case:

• U.S.: Children’s play mat (≤12 years) → CPC (CPSIA, ASTM F963, 16 CFR 1303/130

• EU: Play mat or toy → REACH (SVHC, Annex XVII) + EN 71 (if toy).

• Age Group: Infants (0–3 years) require mouthing tests (e.g., EN 71-3, CPSIA phthalates).

• Market:

• U.S.: CPSIA (lead, phthalates, flammability).

• EU: REACH (SVHC, Annex XVII), EN 71 (if toy).

• Multi-market: Combine CPSIA, REACH, and EN 71 for efficiency.

• Testing Items:

• CPC (U.S.): Lead, phthalates (6P/8P), flammability, physical safety.

• REACH (EU): 20–50 SVHCs (e.g., phthalates, formaldehyde, PAHs) or full 247, Annex XVII (e.g., 6P, azo dyes).

• EN 71 (EU, if toy): EN 71-1 (physical), EN 71-2 (flammability), EN 71-3 (chemical migration).

2. Choose a Professional Testing Agency

• Consultation: Contact an accredited lab like Huabiao Testing to define the testing scope based on material, use, and markets. Provide a bill of materials (BOM) detailing foam, textile, or coating components.

• Sample Submission: Submit 2–3 crawling mat samples (or material swatches) with documentation on additives, dyes, or manufacturing processes.

• Testing Execution:

• EN 71-3: Migration of 19 elements (e.g., lead ≤23.9 mg/kg) via ICP-MS.

• EN 71-2: Flammability (burn rate).

• EN 71-9: Organic compounds (e.g., formaldehyde ≤30 mg/kg).

• SVHC: Test 20–50 high-risk substances (e.g., DEHP, formaldehyde, PAHs) or all 247 using XRF (metals), GC-MS (organics), HPLC (azo dyes, formaldehyde), or ICP-MS (metals).

• Annex XVII: Test phthalates (≤0.1%), azo dyes (≤30 mg/kg), PAHs (≤0.5 mg/kg) using GC-MS or HPLC.

• Limit: SVHC ≤0.1% w/w; Annex XVII per substance-specific limits.

• Physical/Mechanical: ASTM F963 for small parts, sharp edges (drop tests, torque tests).

• Chemical:

• Flammability: Burn rate test per ASTM F963 or 16 CFR 1500.3.

• Methods: ICP-MS, GC-MS, flammability chambers.

• Lead: XRF or ICP-MS (≤100 ppm substrates, ≤90 ppm coatings).

• Phthalates: GC-MS (≤0.1% for 6P/8P).

• CPC Testing (U.S.):

• REACH Testing (EU):

• EN 71 Testing (if toy):

• Report Issuance:

• CPC: Receive a test report from a CPSC-accredited lab, draft the CPC, and provide it to distributors or Amazon.

• REACH: Receive a report confirming SVHC and Annex XVII compliance. If SVHC >0.1%, include SCIP database submission guidance.

• EN 71: Receive a report for CE marking (if toy).

• Compliance Documentation:

• U.S.: Issue CPC, retain test reports for 5 years.

• EU: Compile a technical file (REACH reports, EN 71 if applicable), issue a Declaration of Conformity for CE marking, and notify downstream users if SVHC >0.1%.

• Multi-Market: Combine CPC, REACH, and EN 71 reports for global compliance, ensuring Amazon/eBay requirements are met.

Why Choose Huabiao Testing?

Huabiao Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive CPC certification and REACH 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.

Introduction

With increasing global focus on health and environmental safety, the EU’s REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006) ensures chemical safety in products. REACH testing verifies compliance, particularly for non-metal components prone to containing hazardous substances. This guide explains REACH testing and how to conduct it for non-metal components.

What is REACH Testing?

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) is an EU regulation to manage chemical safety, reducing risks to health and the environment. REACH testing assesses products for Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and Annex XVII restricted substances.

Non-Metal Components

Non-metal components (e.g., plastics, textiles, foam, wood, rubber) in products like toys, bags, or gloves may contain:

• Phthalates: In PVC.

• Formaldehyde: In textiles, wood.

• Azo Dyes: In fabrics.

• PAHs: In rubber/plastics.

Testing Focus: 247 SVHCs (January 2025) and Annex XVII substances, ensuring concentrations ≤0.1% w/w for SVHCs.

Regulations

• SVHC: 247 substances (ECHA, January 21, 2025).

• 0.1% w/w requires downstream notification; >1 ton/year requires ECHA reporting.

• Annex XVII: Restricts substances like:

• Phthalates (DEHP, DBP): ≤0.1% in toys.

• Azo Dyes: ≤30 mg/kg in textiles.

• DMF: ≤0.1% in foam.

• PAHs: ≤1 mg/kg in plastics.

• Others: EN 71-3 (toys), EU No 1935/2004 (food contact).

How to Conduct REACH Testing for Non-Metal Components

1. Determine Testing Scope

• Materials: Plastics (PVC, PP), textiles (polyester), foam (EVA), wood (MDF), rubber.

• Uses:

• Children’s products: Stricter testing (e.g., phthalates, formaldehyde).

• Food contact: Migration tests.

• Consumer goods: High-risk SVHCs.

• Age Groups: 0–3 years (bite tests) or adults.

• Testing:

• Screening: 20–50 SVHCs + 5–10 Annex XVII substances.

• Comprehensive: 247 SVHCs + Annex XVII.

• Markets:

• EU: REACH (SVHC + Annex XVII).

• US: CPSIA, California Proposition 65 (some overlap, e.g., phthalates).

2. Testing Process

• Consult: Contact an accredited lab (e.g., Huabiao Testing) with material details.

• Submit Samples: Provide 2–3 samples with documentation.

• Testing:

• SVHC: XRF (metals), GC-MS (phthalates, PAHs), HPLC (azo dyes, formaldehyde), ICP-MS (metals).

• Annex XVII: GC-MS, HPLC, UV-Vis for restricted substances.

• Others: EN 71-3, food contact tests if needed.

• Report: Receive compliance report; reformulate if non-compliant.

• Documentation: Compile technical file, notify downstream users if SVHC >0.1%, submit to ECHA’s SCIP database if required.

Why Choose Huabiao Testing?

Huabiao Testing offers comprehensive REACH testing solutions with an experienced team and advanced equipment. Accredited with CMA/CNAS, our reliable data and internationally recognized reports help clients manage risks, meet market requirements, and succeed globally.

With growing global consumer awareness of health and environmental concerns, the European Union introduced the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation in 2007. This regulation aims to enhance the safety management of chemicals and reduce the impact of hazardous substances on human health and the environment. REACH testing ensures that chemicals produced and sold by companies comply with these regulatory requirements.Today, Huabiao Testing shares insights on the special requirements for REACH testing of tableware and the process for conducting such tests.

Special Requirements for REACH Testing of Tableware

Composition Analysis: The materials used in tableware must be analyzed to identify their components, particularly metals that may be harmful to human health, such as chromium and nickel, ensuring their levels comply with specified limits.

Migration Testing: This evaluates the amount of hazardous substances that may migrate from tableware into food during contact.

Toxicological Evaluation: Chemical substances involved in the production of tableware must undergo toxicological assessment based on their potential biological activity to ensure the tableware is safe for users.

Heavy Metal Testing: REACH regulations impose strict limits on heavy metal concentrations. Testing is required to determine the total content of heavy metals in tableware, ensuring compliance with these requirements.

How to Handle REACH Testing for Tableware?

Preliminary Preparation

Submit a REACH testing application form and provide detailed product information, including product manuals, component lists, etc. Additionally, prepare 2-3 samples for testing.

Quotation and Agreement Signing

The testing agency will review the provided information, and engineers will determine the testing standards, timeline, and costs. After the applicant confirms the quotation, they sign the application form and service agreement and make the relevant payment.

Testing Execution

The laboratory conducts comprehensive testing on the tableware based on relevant EU standards. The tests focus on identifying potentially hazardous chemical substances in the product to ensure compliance with REACH regulations.

Report and Certificate Issuance

Upon completion of testing, the testing agency issues a test report. After the project is finalized, a REACH test report is provided, certifying that the tableware has passed REACH testing and complies with EU chemical safety standards.

Huabiao Testing: Your Trusted Partner for REACH Testing

GIG Testing, with its experienced technical team and advanced testing equipment, provides comprehensive REACH testing solutions for tableware. 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.