Via the raw materials, a forbidden substance can be present in the final product. The product can’t enter anymore in the exporting country. It will be blocked, and then destroyed, having the following consequences:
- High costs – The production, the transport and losses
- Your customer will not receive your product
- Time and extra costs for the reformulation of the product
If your product is going to be sold in a new country, verify well that its composition is according to the legal norms for this country. It’s better to consider it as a new product with a development project. Only by doing it this way, we can look seriously to it.
What is at least to be verified?
- Verify the raw materials of the product – the composition, additives (hidden or even not declared) (for example: preserving agents or emulsifiers) and on the presence of substances which are forbidden in the destination country
- Look whether there are special requirements about the packaging (its composition for example)
- Verify the list of pesticides allowed in the export country. Check their maximum values
- Be extra careful. If there is one source mentioning that a substance is not permitted, it’s better to substitute it
- Interrogate your suppliers on the presence of the forbidden substances and ask them for written declarations
- Try to obtain the maximum amount of regulatory information. Your customer can help you with obtaining it. Save the information carefully for the next time
- Please note, that the absence on such type of lists means “Forbidden”
It’s an extra task. If you do it before and considering it as a new product development project, you minimise consciously the risk of a product rejection. The customs formalities will be easier and your customer will be happy when he receives the product.
