What certifications should PVC placemats have for import into the EU or US?

Introduction

When importing PVC placemats into the European Union (EU) or the United States (US), manufacturers and importers must navigate complex regulatory and certification environments to ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and consumer protection standards. As a leading PVC placemat manufacturer in China, we have successfully expanded our market in the European Union and the United States. In this article, I will share with you the basic certifications and standards that PVC placemats must comply with when imported into the European Union and the United States, reducing unnecessary trouble for your placemat import business.

1、 What are the certification requirements for PVC placemats in the European Union?

1. CE mark

The CE mark is a mandatory certification for many products sold in the European Union, indicating compliance with safety, health, and environmental protection standards. Although PVC placemats themselves are usually not classified as high-risk products that require CE marking, they may be subject to specific directives if they contain electronic components (such as heated placemats) or are sold as protective equipment. We suggest that you consult the manufacturer when purchasing PVC placemats to confirm if the CE mark is applicable to their specific product.

2. Declaration of Compliance for Food Contact Materials (DoC)

PVC placemats often come into indirect contact with food, which makes them subject to the EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on food contact materials. This regulation requires that food contact materials shall not transfer harmful substances into food. Importers of placemats must provide a Declaration of Compliance (DoC). DoC must be supported by laboratory test reports from certification bodies to verify that PVC does not release harmful substances such as phthalates or heavy metals beyond allowable limits. As a manufacturer, we ensure that our PVC placemats undergo rigorous testing to meet these standards, and if you need them, we will provide them free of charge.

3. REACH compliance

The REACH regulation (EC No 1907/2006) regulates the use of chemicals in products sold in the European Union. PVC placemats must comply with REACH, especially regarding restricted substances such as phthalates, which are commonly used as plasticizers in PVC. You must ensure that the PVC placemat does not contain SVHC or that these substances are within the allowed range. Our factory regularly conducts REACH compliance testing to ensure that our PVC placemats meet these requirements.
PVC Placemat ZJ000301
pvc placemat detail

4. RoHS Directive (optional)

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (2011/65/EU) mainly applies to electrical and electronic equipment, but may be related to PVC placemats with embedded electronic functions. RoHS restricts the use of harmful substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium. Although standard PVC placemats are usually not required, the growth trend of intelligent PVC placemats has been rapid in recent years. When importing these intelligent placemats, you need to confirm whether their product line needs to comply with RoHS standards.

5. Textile labels (if applicable)

If PVC placemats are used in combination with textile components such as fabric backing, they must comply with EU textile labeling regulations. These requirements require labels to provide detailed information on material composition, cleaning standards, and country of origin.

2、 What are the certification requirements for PVC placemats in the United States?

1. FDA compliance for food contact

In the United States, PVC placemats that may come into contact with food are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Title 21 of the Federal Regulations of the US Food and Drug Administration outlines the requirements for food contact substances, including plastics such as PVC. PVC manufacturers must provide a warranty or test report confirming that PVC placemats comply with US Food and Drug Administration standards (e.g. 21 CFR 175-178 for indirect food additives). Our PVC placemats have been tested and certified by the US FDA to ensure their normal entry into the US market for sale.

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Gold-Embossed Placemats ZJ063TJ
Gold-Embossed Placemats ST118TJ

2. CPSIA compliance

The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 applies to products that may be used by children under the age of 12, including placemats sold for children. CPSIA regulates the use of lead and phthalates in consumer goods. For PVC placemats, manufacturers must ensure that the lead content is below 100ppm and the phthalate content meets the CPSIA limits for specific chemicals such as DEHP, DBP, and BBP. In some cases, relevant testing agencies may also require you to provide a Children’s Product Certificate (CPC). Our PVC placemats have passed CPSIA testing, please feel free to purchase from us.

3. Complies with Proposal 65

Proposition 65 in California requires products sold in the state to carry a warning if they contain chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive damage. PVC placemats containing certain phthalates or heavy metals need to be labeled with a Proposition 65 warning label unless testing confirms that their content is below the state’s threshold. As a top PVC placemat manufacturer in China, our placemat products are free from any toxic substances. Please feel free to purchase with confidence.

3、 How can we support meal mat importers and wholesalers to expand their business?

As a leading PVC placemat manufacturer, we not only offer various types of high-quality PVC placemats, but also actively provide various exclusive services to reduce the problems you may encounter when importing PVC placemats. The following related services we can provide for you:

  1. Comprehensive certification support: We provide DoC, FDA compliance letters, CPSIA certificates, and REACH testing reports for your target market.
  2. Customized solutions: From the design of placemats to material selection, we create PVC placemats that meet regulatory and aesthetic requirements.
  3. Provide the necessary documents for customs clearance: We provide accurate customs documents, including HTS codes and EORI compatible paperwork, to facilitate quick customs clearance for you.

Conclusion

Importing PVC placemats into the European Union and the United States requires careful attention to certifications such as CE marking, REACH, FDA compliance, and CPSIA. Our placemat factory is committed to providing you with certified PVC placemats that meet two strict market standards, allowing you to rapidly expand your placemat market share.
Contact us immediately for free placemat samples and more placemat solutions.

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