Chemical Test

Most product exports involve (within scope) chemical testing, which is a method of identifying and distinguishing substances (content or whether they contain substances) using chemical means. And product export chemical testing is the detection of harmful substances to the human body by the product itself.

Common chemical tests for product exports include CPSIA, ROHS, REACH, food contact material testing, California 65, PAHS, etc.

CPSIA testing

CPSIA testing ensures that children's toys comply with the 2008 Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) in the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act specifically targets children's products, defining them as products primarily designed or used for children aged 12 or younger. Manufacturers must demonstrate that products sold in the United States comply with legal requirements, and therefore must undergo CPSIA testing in order to enter the US market.

Manufacturers and importers in the United States need to conduct testing on children's products to ensure that they do not contain harmful substances, including lead and phthalates, and meet safety requirements.

CPSIA includes but is not limited to toys. This standard sets limits for harmful heavy metal elements such as lead and ortho benzene in children's products, as well as requirements for small components that can cause suffocation and product labeling.

ROHS testing

RoHS testing is a mandatory standard established by EU legislation, and its full name is the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment.

Mainly used to standardize the material and process standards of electronic and electrical products, making them more conducive to human health and environmental protection.

The purpose of this standard is to eliminate harmful substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, phthalates, etc. in electrical and electronic products, and specifically stipulates that the lead content cannot exceed 0.1%.

REACH testing

REACH testing is a regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemicals, and is a preventive management regulation for all chemicals entering the EU market.

The purpose is to unify the management of chemicals in the EU market, protect human health and the environment, and promote innovation in green chemicals.

REACH currently has 219 toxic and harmful substances that need to be tested.

Unlike the RoHS directive, REACH has a much wider scope and in fact affects products and manufacturing processes in almost all industries, from mining to textiles and clothing, light industry, and electromechanical.

FDA Food Contact Material Testing

The United States is a highly developed country with strict requirements for the raw materials and processing techniques of food contact materials. Food contact materials must pass FDA food contact material testing before they can be sold to the United States.

Stainless steel bowls and plastic lunch boxes that we often use in our daily lives need to undergo FDA testing before entering the US market. The products typically involved include:

·Bowls, knives, forks, spoons, cups, plates, and other tableware.

·Food storage products include reinforced glass cutting boards, stainless steel and other kitchen utensils.

·Electrical products that come into contact with food, such as toasters, sandwich ovens, and electric kettles.

The FDA has very strict testing standards for food contact materials, and specific testing standards vary for different products.

EU Food Contact Material Testing

The export of materials in contact with food to the EU must comply with relevant standards, and different member states monitor the quality of products and materials in contact with food on the market according to their own food grade laws and regulations. Products exported to the European Union will be subject to random inspections by the customs of each EU member state in accordance with relevant regulations, and products that do not meet the standards will be returned.

The regulations on food contact materials stipulate that substances in products that come into contact with food must meet the following conditions: comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). When products come into contact with food, they must not:

·Release ingredients that pose a risk to human health;

·Changes that result in unacceptable composition of food products;

·Reduce the sensory characteristics of food (causing changes in taste, aroma, color, etc.).

Scope of application of regulations

1) Tableware: metal tableware, plastic tableware, wooden tableware, disposable tableware, etc; 2) Kitchenware: cutting board, seasoning jar, stainless steel pot, non stick pot, iron pot, enamel pot, etc; 3) Cookware: steamer, spatula, spoon, etc; 4) Insulated containers: stainless steel insulated cups, insulated pots, insulated bottles, etc. 5) Kitchen appliances: mixers, egg beaters, coffee makers, etc.

California 65

California 65 requires businesses to issue warnings to Californians about excessive exposure to chemicals that can cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. These chemicals may be present in products purchased by Californians, in their homes or workplaces, or released into the environment.

California 65 requires the state to publish a list of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive hazards. This list must be updated at least once a year, and since its first release in 1987, it has grown to include approximately 1015 chemicals.

Prop 65 affects all consumer goods sold or distributed in California, including textiles, footwear, hard goods, DIY products, toys, youth products, stationery, electrical/electronic products, and many more. Almost applicable to all consumer goods sold in the California market, whether they are adult or children's products.

PAHS detection

PAHs, also known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are carcinogenic substances. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons containing two or more benzene rings in their molecules, including over 150 compounds such as anthracene, phenanthrene, etc.

Given the hazards of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to humans, animals, and plants, the AtAV Committee of the Experience Exchange Office of the German Safety Technical Certification Center (ZLS) has requested mandatory inclusion of PAHs testing in GS mark certification.

Other regions have also imposed restrictions on PAHs through written laws or regulations, such as EU 76/769/EEC; US EPA; China GB, GB/T, GHZ.

In the electronic and electrical manufacturing industry, PAHs are usually used as plastic additives in the production process. For example, when plastic particles adhere to the mold during extrusion, release agents need to be added, which may contain PAHs.