1. REACH: SVHC Testing is Mandatory
Cleaning consumables exported to the EU must first comply with REACH (Chemicals Regulation EC 1907/2006). A mandatory requirement under REACH is SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing; sales are prohibited if the content of SVHC substances—such as heavy metals, phthalates, or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) found in wiping cloths or cleaning rags—exceeds limits.
The SVHC Candidate List is updated annually (currently exceeding 240 items), and newly added substances require supplementary testing. Compliance Responsibility: Exporters (or EU importers) must complete REACH registration and SVHC declarations; test reports must be issued by accredited bodies such as SGS, Intertek, or TÜV.
REACH Scope: Any article placed on the EU market (including textile cleaning cloths) must comply with REACH—it is not “optional” but a baseline requirement for market access.
Practical Points: Keep SVHC reports available for inspection with the shipment, conduct supplementary testing for annual list updates, and ensure the report holder matches the supplier—cleaning consumables lacking a REACH report will be blocked during EU customs clearance.
2.
OEKO-TEX: A Quality Passport for Textiles
Textile-based cleaning consumables (such as cotton, polyester, or non-woven wiping cloths and rags) also require OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.
OEKO-TEX Testing Scope: A full spectrum of harmful substances (azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, pesticide residues, allergenic dyes, etc.), categorized by the level of skin contact (Classes I to IV)—cleaning consumables typically fall between Class III (no direct skin contact) and Class I (baby-grade).
Significance of Certification: OEKO-TEX serves as a “passport for quality and safety” for textiles in the EU market; European buyers—particularly those sourcing cleaning supplies for the food, medical, and cosmetics industries—commonly require it.
Certification Timeline and Costs: Sample testing takes approximately 2 to 4 weeks, with costs ranging from several thousand to 20,000 RMB (depending on the specific tests);
the certificate is valid for one year (requiring annual renewal). Relationship between OEKO-TEX and REACH: REACH governs the “legal baseline,” while OEKO-TEX addresses “quality standards”—EU buyers look at both, so obtaining both certifications is recommended for exported cleaning supplies.
III.
Food-Contact Category: LFGB and EU 10/2011
Cleaning supplies that come into contact with food (such as foodservice cleaning cloths, wipes for food processing areas, and kitchen rags) must comply with food-contact safety standards.
EU Framework: Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, plus specific material regulations—textiles are subject to risk self-assessment and testing, while plastic components must comply with EU 10/2011 (migration testing).
German LFGB (German Food and Feed Code): This represents the strictest market entry requirement for food-contact products in Europe; testing covers sensory analysis (odor and taste transfer), heavy metal migration, formaldehyde content, etc. An LFGB certificate is a mandatory requirement for sourcing cleaning supplies in the European foodservice and food industries.
National regulations such as France’s DGCCRF and Italy’s DM 21/03/73 impose additional requirements.
Key Point: Food-contact testing is tied to the “product formulation”—changing materials or inks (e.g., for logo printing) necessitates re-testing; test reports must accompany the goods and are invariably checked during customer audits.
For exporting cleaning supplies to the foodservice and food industries, LFGB certification is not merely an option—it is a prerequisite for market entry.
IV.
Cleaning Agents and Disinfectants: Detergents Regulation and BPR
Cleaning supplies containing chemicals or making functional claims are subject to separate regulations.
Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004: Consumables containing surfactants (such as cleaning fluids or wipes with surfactant ingredients) must comply with requirements regarding ingredient and content labeling (specifically phosphorus levels and surfactant biodegradability) and the provision of ingredient data (Safety Data Sheets/SDS).
Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) (EU) No 528/2012: Products containing biocidal active ingredients—such as disinfecting wipes or antibacterial cleaning cloths—are strictly regulated under the BPR. Active ingredients must be EU-approved, and products require authorization (a process that typically takes 12 to 24 months); disinfecting products lacking BPR authorization cannot be placed on the EU market.
Key takeaway: Standard wiping cloths only need to comply with REACH or OEKO-TEX standards; however, functional products claiming “germ-killing,” “disinfecting,” or “antibacterial” properties must comply with the BPR. The stronger the functional claim, the stricter the regulation; avoid casually writing “kills bacteria” on labels, as this is a major compliance pitfall under the BPR.
V.
Practical Implementation and Common Pitfalls
Five common pitfalls and solutions for exporting cleaning consumables to the EU.
Pitfall 1: Falsified test reports—unscrupulous agents selling fake “REACH/OEKO-TEX certificates.” Solution: Verify report numbers on the issuing body’s official website (e.g., SGS, Intertek, or the OEKO-TEX Association).
Pitfall 2: Expired standards—the SVHC list and OEKO-TEX standards are updated annually, rendering old reports invalid. Solution: Renew certification and conduct supplementary testing according to the latest versions.
Pitfall 3: Mismatched entities—the company name on the report does not match your supplier. Solution: Ensure the entity details align with the information on the product label.
Pitfall 4: Confusing food-contact items with general products—declaring food-service wipes as standard wipes while lacking LFGB compliance. Solution: Conduct testing based on the product’s intended use.
Pitfall 5: Compliance issues with functional claims—labeling wipes as “antibacterial” without BPR authorization. Solution: Check for BPR authorization before quoting prices for functional products.
The EU has the world’s strictest certification requirements for cleaning consumables; a secure export strategy requires following the complete chain of “Product Category → Regulations → Testing → Documentation → Labeling.”
Conclusion
What certifications are required to export industrial cleaning consumables to the EU?
REACH (including mandatory SVHC compliance) and OEKO-TEX (the “passport” for textiles) serve as the foundation. Additional requirements apply based on product category: LFGB or EU 10/2011 for food-contact items, Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 for detergents, and BPR (EU) No 528/2012 for disinfectants and antibacterial products.
By matching products to the correct requirements, verifying compliance through authorized bodies, and renewing certifications annually, a comprehensive certification framework for exporting cleaning consumables to the EU can be established.
