Compliance
Compliance is not an optional extra. It is part of the product cost.
A supplier can provide a product that looks good, feels good and appears to meet your quality expectations, but if it does not meet the legal requirements of the market, it should not be sold. This applies equally to a 50-unit promotional order and a national retail launch.
Do not ask: “Can the factory make it?” Ask: “Can the factory prove this exact product, in this exact material, colour, finish, packaging and intended use, is legally compliant for the UK or EU market where I intend to sell it?”
Where buyers get caught
The rules follow the material, not the product name.
A branded mug, a printed tee and a test report from the factory each carry their own obligations. Three common examples:
Food contact
Mugs, bottles and lunch boxes need food contact test reports for the exact material, and hot or cold use confirmed.
Textiles and prints
Dyes, inks, trims and coatings raise chemical questions; fibre content and care labels are required.
Test reports
A PDF is not proof unless it covers the exact goods, names the actual factory and uses a current standard.
Fifteen areas buyers must consider
The full compliance picture
Viaty flags every applicable framework based on product type, target market and risk indicators, before you brief a factory.
1General product safetyGPSR
Every product placed on the UK market must be safe for its intended and reasonably foreseeable use. This is the foundation point before category-specific rules.
What to ask the supplier
- Risk assessment for normal and foreseeable use
- Lab test reports where relevant
- Clear usage, warning and care instructions
- Age suitability for child-related products
2UKCA, CE and UKNI conformity markingUKCA / CE / UKNI
There is no single "CEUK" mark. For Great Britain, the relevant mark is generally UKCA, though CE is still accepted in many cases. For Northern Ireland, different rules apply.
What to ask the supplier
- Declaration of Conformity
- Technical file
- Test reports against applicable standards
- Importer details on the product or packaging
3UK REACH — chemical compliance
Applies to most chemical substances manufactured in or imported into Great Britain. Affects not only chemical products but also articles, coatings, inks, plastics, textiles, glues, dyes, packaging and components.
What to ask the supplier
- Material declarations
- Supplier declarations on restricted substances
- SVHC notification where thresholds are met
4Packaging compliance
Packaging creates two issues: (1) the packaging itself must be safe and chemically compliant, and (2) UK Extended Producer Responsibility rules may require data reporting and fees.
What to ask the supplier
- Material compliance for box, bag, sleeve, insert, label
- Producer responsibility registration where applicable
- Recycling and disposal labelling
5RoHS — restriction of hazardous substances
Restricts hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment. Importers must confirm manufacturer compliance, keep a Declaration of Conformity, and retain technical documentation for 10 years.
What to ask the supplier
- Declaration of Conformity
- Technical file
- Material declarations on restricted substances
6WEEE — electrical waste
Electrical and electronic equipment may fall under WEEE rules. Manufacturers, importers and distributors may need to identify covered products, report weights and register as producers.
What to ask the supplier
- WEEE symbol on product where required
- Producer registration
- Weight reporting
7Batteries and lithium compliance
Products containing batteries carry additional compliance risks. Producers must record battery tonnage and chemistry. Lithium batteries carry transport, safety testing, storage and shipping restrictions.
What to ask the supplier
- Battery testing (UN38.3)
- Producer registration
- Transport documentation
- Disposal labelling
8Toys and children's products
The Toys (Safety) Regulations require a safety assessment covering chemical, physical, mechanical, electrical, flammability, hygiene and radioactivity hazards. Can apply to products not obviously toys.
What to ask the supplier
- Toy safety assessment
- Age warnings
- Choking hazard warnings
- Manufacturer / importer details
9Food contact materials
Any product intended to touch food or drink needs specific compliance review — bottles, mugs, lunch boxes, straws, kitchenware, food packaging.
What to ask the supplier
- Food contact test reports for the exact material
- Migration testing where applicable
- Hot/cold use confirmation
10Textiles, apparel and accessories
Textile products can raise chemical, labelling and safety issues — especially for children's products or skin-contact items. Includes dyes, trims, fasteners, coatings and prints.
What to ask the supplier
- Fibre content disclosure
- Azo dye and formaldehyde testing
- Drawstring and cord safety for children's items
- Care labelling
11Cosmetics and personal care
Cosmetic products are regulated. It is an offence to supply a cosmetic product that may cause damage to human health or contains restricted or prohibited substances.
What to ask the supplier
- Cosmetic Product Safety Report (CPSR)
- UK Responsible Person
- INCI ingredient list
- Notification to CPNP / SCPN
12PPE and safety-related products
Most new PPE placed on the GB market must be UKCA or CE marked, supplied with a Declaration of Conformity and instructions in English. Marketing language can change the legal classification.
What to ask the supplier
- UKCA / CE mark with PPE category
- Declaration of Conformity
- Instructions in English
- Standard compliance (EN ISO etc.)
13Furniture and soft furnishingsFurniture fire
The Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations set flammability requirements for domestic upholstered furniture supplied in the UK. Includes cushions, beanbags, upholstered stools, blankets and pet beds.
What to ask the supplier
- Permanent fire-safety label
- Test certificate (cigarette and match resistance)
- Display label at point of sale
14Labelling, warnings and importer obligations
Many buyers underestimate labelling. A compliant product with non-compliant labelling is still a compliance failure.
What to ask the supplier
- Manufacturer name and address
- Importer name and address
- Batch/model number
- Warnings and instructions in English
15Test reports and document validity
A common sourcing trap is accepting old, generic or mismatched test reports. A PDF test report is not proof unless it is relevant, complete, current, authentic and linked to the exact goods.
What to ask the supplier
- Report covers the exact product and material
- Supplier name matches the actual factory
- Standard is current
- Lab is credible and accredited
The buyer lesson
Build the cost of compliance into sourcing from the start.
Not discovered at the end, when the goods are already produced. Viaty helps buyers understand compliance early: before they commit to a supplier, approve a sample, place an order or ship goods.
A compliant product with non-compliant labelling is still a compliance failure, so labels, warnings and importer details are checked with the product.
Source with compliance built in, not bolted on.
Every brief raised on Viaty gets a compliance check based on product type, target market and risk flags, before you go to factories for quotes.