FSC, REACH, UL, CE, EPR and Beyond — A Compliance Checklist for Custom Displays
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display
Table of Contents
Today’s POP and visual merchandising displays aren’t just about looking great — they must also comply with customs regulations, environmental standards, and brand compliance rules. For retail brands importing displays from China, knowing which certifications to request is essential.
“Do your MDF panels have FSC?”
“Will this LED pass UL inspection?”
“Does the packaging meet UK plastic tax exemption?”
This article breaks down the certifications needed for EU, UK, and US markets, sorted by material and function.
🌍 1. Certifications for the EU Market 🇪🇺
🟢 REACH Declaration
- Purpose: Restricts hazardous chemicals in products
- Applies to: Acrylic, MDF, glue, paint, coated metals
- ✅ What to Ask For: “REACH SVHC-free declaration” from the supplier or material vendor.
🟢 FSC Certification
- Purpose: Confirms wood and paper come from responsibly managed forests
- Applies to: MDF, plywood, kraft cartons
- ✅ What to Ask For: FSC chain-of-custody code (FSC-Cxxxxx)
🟢 CE Marking
- Purpose: Verifies electronics meet EU safety directives
- Applies to: LEDs, motion sensors, displays with power
- ✅ What to Ask For: CE Declaration of Conformity + test reports for the components
🟢 EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility)
- Purpose: Ensures packaging waste is tracked and reported properly
- Applies to: All display packaging
- ✅ What to Ask For: Packaging weight breakdown by material type (paper, plastic, metal)
🇬🇧 2. Certifications for the UK Market
🟡 UKCA Mark
- Purpose: UK’s post-Brexit version of CE
- Applies to: Lighting, screens, electronic modules
- ✅ What to Ask For: UKCA logo on label or product, plus Declaration of Conformity
🟡 Plastic Packaging Tax Exemption
- Purpose: Avoid extra charges if plastic contains ≥30% recycled content
- ✅ What to Ask For: Supplier declaration of recycled content OR request pulp/kraft alternatives
🟡 Waste Packaging Declaration
- Purpose: For UK Packaging Waste Reporting
- ✅ What to Ask For: Breakdown of packaging weight by kg per material category
🇺🇸 3. Certifications for the US Market
🔵 UL Certification
- Purpose: Electrical safety and fire standards
- Applies to: LEDs, transformers, power cables
- ✅ What to Ask For: UL Listed/Recognized part IDs or lab certificates
🔵 Proposition 65 Compliance (California)
- Purpose: Identifies toxic substances in retail products
- Applies to: Paints, adhesives, plastics, foams
- ✅ What to Ask For: Prop 65 statement for any California-bound orders
🔵 Country of Origin (COO) Labeling
- Purpose: Required for customs and legal compliance
- ✅ What to Ask For: “Made in China” printed on unit, inner box, and master carton
📦 Also Ask For These Supporting Documents
| Document Type | Purpose | Format |
|---|---|---|
| MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) | Paints, glues, solvents, flame retardants | |
| ISTA Drop Test Report | Shipping carton impact resistance | PDF / Lab Cert |
| ISPM-15 Certificate | For heat-treated wooden crates | Stamp + Export Doc |
| IP Rating Certificate | For water-resistant LED displays (e.g. IP65) | |
| Foam Density & Fire Rating Report | Required by many store VMs & safety teams |
🧠 Pro Tip: Ask for Compliance at Quoting — Not After Production
Certification documents often take time to collect or test.
Always confirm availability and lead time during RFQ or sampling.
Ask this early:
“Please confirm certifications for the following:
- MDF (FSC?)
- Acrylic (REACH?)
- LEDs (UL/CE?)
- Packaging (EPR/Plastic Tax?)
- Labeling (COO compliant?)”
💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Do I need all these certifications for every project?
A: No — just match to the market. EU and UK are stricter than the US.
Q: Can Samtop manage certification and compliance across regions?
A: Yes. We generate packaging compliance reports, material declarations, and drop-ship-ready label packs.
Q: Do I have to register for EPR myself?
A: Yes — but your supplier must provide precise packaging weights to submit.
📩 Need a Region-Specific Certification Template or Display Compliance Checklist?
At Samtop, we ensure your visual merchandising campaigns cross borders — not compliance lines.
- 📋 Complete certification file prep
- 🌍 Region-matching packaging documentation
- 🔧 Sourcing of FSC, UL, and CE-compliant components
- 📦 Support for sustainable and plastic-free packaging goals
📧 Contact: [email protected]
🌐 Visit: www.samtop.com
