CE RoHS REACH and SGS for Imported Gift Products
Four acronyms come up in almost every European and North American enquiry. They are not interchangeable, and knowing which applies to your market saves a delayed shipment.
What each one covers
| Reference | What it addresses |
|---|---|
| CE | Conformity marking for products placed on the European market |
| RoHS | Restriction of specified hazardous substances |
| REACH | European regulation on chemical substances in products |
| SGS | Third-party inspection and testing body, including supplier audits |
CE and REACH are European regulatory frameworks. RoHS restricts substances. SGS is not a regulation at all, it is an independent testing and audit organisation whose reports buyers use as evidence.
Lead cadmium and nickel free
Our products are declared lead, cadmium and nickel free, meeting European and USA standards. That phrase covers the three heavy metals most often restricted in items that are handled frequently or that may reach children.
For anything sold as a children's product, confirm the specific test scope your market requires. Requirements differ between markets and between age groups, and a general declaration is not always a substitute for a market-specific test report.
What Rich Industry holds
CE, RoHS, SGS and REACH references are available on request. The company passed the SGS Audited Supplier Certificate in March 2016 and became a Made-in-China.com Gold Member in the same month.
Certificate images from that period are shown on our About page. Ask for current documentation with your quotation, since certification is periodically renewed and the copies on file should be dated for your records.
What to ask a supplier before ordering
- Which specific certificates cover the product I am buying, not the factory in general
- What is the date on the document, and when does it expire
- Does the declaration cover the material or the finished item
- Which market and age group was it tested against
- Can the report be reissued in my company's name for customs
A supplier who can answer all five quickly is a supplier who has been asked before.
Getting this right early
Compliance questions belong at the quotation stage, not at the port. Tell us your destination market and whether the item is intended for children when you send the enquiry, and the answer comes back with the quotation rather than three weeks later.
Lead times, minimums and certifications quoted here are Rich Industry's own, as published on rich-gifts.cn. Confirm current figures with your quotation.
Designs Referred To Above
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Questions on This Topic
Is CE a certification or a declaration?
CE marking is a manufacturer's declaration of conformity with applicable European requirements, supported by technical evidence. It is not a certificate issued by a testing house, which is a common misunderstanding.
Do you supply test reports with shipments?
Compliance references are available on request. Tell us at quotation which documents your customs clearance and your buyer require, so they are prepared with the shipment rather than after it.
Are your certificates current?
The certificate images on our About page date from 2016. Request current documentation with your quotation so the copies in your file carry an in-date issue date.
Apply This to Your Own Project
Send the artwork or the brief and we will tell you what is achievable, what it costs and how long it takes. Quotation within 8 working hours.