In order to fulfill our mission of environmental sustainability, Bone Collection ensures that the eco-friendly silicone materials used in each product undergo SGS inspection, are certified according to the EU RoHS non-toxic environmental standard, and are registered with REACH for chemical composition, allowing importation into the EU. But what exactly are SGS inspection, RoHS, and REACH?
With the rise of global environmental and health awareness, consumers are paying more attention to the safety of the products they use. This trend is also reflected in international trade regulations for imports and exports. People are beginning to take note of whether the products they use have undergone certain inspections. The EU has also established safety regulations for the chemical substances in imported goods.
Learn about the 3 inspection marks with Penguin Xiaowan.
As the world moves towards the concept of green environmental protection, manufacturers must also keep up with the times to ensure a sustainable environment, avoiding harm to human health and reducing land pollution. To fulfill its mission of green environmental protection, Bone Collection subjects the eco-friendly silicone materials used in its products to SGS inspection, certifies them according to the EU RoHS non-toxic environmental standard, and registers their chemical compositions with REACH to allow importation into the EU.
You might be feeling a bit puzzled, right? SGS, RoHS, and then there's the less familiar REACH. Don't worry, today Bone Collection is here to introduce you to 3 types of safety inspections: SGS, RoHS, and REACH.
What is SGS?
Getting to know SGS
Many people mistakenly believe that SGS is an official inspection agency sanctioned by government entities. In reality, SGS is an independent private international inspection institution.
The former French name for SGS is Société Générale de Surveillance, which translates to "Swiss General Notary Office." Established as early as 1878, its initial purpose was to inspect the quality of grain for international trade imports. By the mid-20th century, SGS began offering diversified services such as testing, inspection, and certification. Today, it has become the world's largest international commodity inspection company, covering diverse fields such as food, agricultural products, consumer goods, industrial and mining sectors, biomedicine, and more, with a wide range of inspection, testing, and certification services. It is highly reputable internationally due to its verification efficacy.
In simple terms, SGS is a company that specializes in various professional checks: inspecting material and product component safety, durability and safety under specific environmental conditions, international certification testing, and more. It performs testing based on the specific requirements of businesses.
Although SGS inspections are widespread in international trade, the EU has established a set of standards to restrict the import of hazardous substances. Goods intended for the EU must comply with EU environmental directives and chemical registration regulations, meaning they must pass RoHS testing and adhere to Reach regulations. But what are RoHS and Reach? Let's continue reading.
What is RoHS?
RoHS is one of the mandatory Green Directives in the EU.
The full English name of RoHS is the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, which aims to prevent discarded electronic and electrical products from impacting human health and environmental safety.
This directive has now become a mandatory standard. The electronic and electrical equipment covered by the RoHS directive includes:
1. Large household appliances
2. Small household appliances
3. Information technology and telecommunication equipment
4. Consumer durables
5. Lighting equipment
6. Electric and electronic tools
7. Toys, leisure, and sports equipment
8. Medical devices
9. Monitoring and control instruments
10. Vending machines
The purpose of RoHS is to reduce the harm of electronic waste to the environment and human health.
The regulated chemical substances include:
1. Lead (Pb) (0.1%)
2. Mercury (Hg) (0.1%)
3. Cadmium (Cd), with a maximum allowable content of 0.01% (100ppm)
4. Hexavalent chromium (CrVI) (0.1%)
5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) (0.1%)
6. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), with a maximum allowable content of 0.1% (1000ppm)
7. Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1%)
8. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (0.1%)
9. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0.1%)
10. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (0.1%)
Before products can enter EU countries, they must undergo RoHS inspection and certification. Furthermore, when entering the EU market, in addition to complying with RoHS, products must also follow the REACH regulations.
What is REACH?
Products must be registered with REACH to enter the EU market.
REACH is a green environmental regulation implemented by the EU starting from June 1, 2007. Its purpose is to identify the production and use of chemical substances and assess their impact on human health and the environment.
The acronym stands for "Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals." This regulation mandates that all chemicals intended for the European market must be registered, evaluated, and authorized. Some chemicals may be restricted.
Breaking down the meaning of each letter in REACH:
Registration: REACH requires companies to register chemicals with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) if they manufacture or import over 1 ton of those chemicals. Manufacturers, agents, importers, and other supply chain entities must be aware of the chemical composition of their products to ensure health and safety awareness.
Evaluation: EU member state authorities assess whether a chemical substance is harmful. Evaluation includes dossier evaluations provided by companies and substance evaluations. If the substance poses a risk to human health or the environment, further reports may be requested by ECHA.
Authorization: The use of chemical substances must be authorized by ECHA. If a substance within a product has "unacceptable risks to human health and the environment," it may be phased out and replaced with safer alternatives, or outright banned.
Restriction of Chemicals: Some high-risk chemicals to human health and the environment may face a complete ban, while others might have usage restrictions.
Chemicals with "unacceptable risks to human health and the environment" include:
* Carcinogens
* Mutagens
* Reproductive toxicants
* Non-degradable, bioaccumulative, and toxic chemicals
The purpose of REACH is to regulate harmful chemical substances.
A simple explanation of the difference between RoHS and REACH:
RoHS: Electronic equipment must meet the specified substance content standards in the directive.
REACH: Encompasses all chemicals used in manufacturing products, including material, solvents, coatings, and other chemical-related substances.
The above are introductions to three common safety inspection marks. Product safety inspections must pass through multiple stages before reaching consumers, which is both a responsibility and mission for companies. This way, consumers can use products with peace of mind, right?
Bone hopes to contribute to environmental protection and human health.
Bone's eco-friendly silicone materials also undergo rigorous testing and are certified according to the RoHS non-toxic standard, aiming to provide reassurance to all friends who purchase Bone products.
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The silicone materials of each product undergo RoHS inspection and are certified as non-toxic.