EU REACH testing requirements and procedures for shoes
Date：2025-07-04 09:37:10 Classification
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A comprehensive description of the REACH testing requirements and handling procedures for shoes exported to the EU, combined with the core points of EU regulations and practical guidelines:
I. Scope of application of REACH testing
1. All footwear products
Including sports shoes, leather shoes, sandals, casual shoes, etc., whether or not they contain electronic components (such as luminous shoes), as long as they are sold in the EU market, they must comply with REACH regulations.
2. Key controlled components
- Upper materials: leather, textiles, artificial leather, coated fabrics
- Soles and accessories: plastic (PVC/TPR), rubber, metal fasteners, adhesives
- Decorative elements: printing inks, dyes, metal trims
II. Testing and handling procedures (5-step quick clearance)
1. Application and material preparation
- Fill in the test application form, provide a product material list (BOM table), and specify the material (such as leather type, plastic type) and color of each component.
- Split representative samples (such as uppers, soles, metal accessories) and send them for inspection by material classification (20-50g for each material).
2. Cost assessment and contract signing
- The testing agency quotes based on the number of material types and colors.
- Sign a service agreement, pay the fee and send samples to the certification laboratory.
3. Laboratory testing stage
- Physical test: structural strength of the whole shoe, tensile strength of small parts (anti-swallowing risk).
- Chemical test:
- Heavy metals: XRF scanning + ICP-MS analysis
- SVHC substances: GC-MS/HPLC testing (such as phthalates, PAHs).
4. Report issuance and compliance judgment
- Testing cycle: 5-7 working days (expedited can be shortened to 3 days).
- After passing, obtain a Chinese and English REACH test report, indicating the content of each substance and whether it meets the limit.
5. Subsequent obligations
- If the product contains SVHC and the annual export volume is ≥1 ton, it is necessary to submit a notification to ECHA (European Chemicals Agency).
3. Key points
1. Material compliance focus
- Leather/textiles: prohibit azo dyes and avoid using DEHP plasticizers.
- Plastic soles: give priority to phthalate-free TPU/EVA materials.
2. Institution selection recommendations
- Look for laboratories with CMA/CNAS qualifications and EU accreditation (such as Dezewei Testing).
3. Regulatory dynamic tracking
- The SVHC list is updated every six months (currently 250 items), and it is recommended to entrust institutions to monitor new substances regularly.
4. Packaging and labeling
- Shoe box packaging inks must comply with REACH heavy metal restrictions (lead + cadmium + mercury ≤ 100ppm).
4. Frequently asked questions
Q: Shoes do not contain metal accessories, do they still need to be tested?
A: Yes! REACH controls all chemical substances, and materials such as plastics/textiles still need to be tested for SVHC and restricted substances.
Q: How long is the test report valid?
A: There is no fixed validity period, but retesting is required after the material formula changes or the SVHC list is updated.
Q: What is the total cost of testing a pair of shoes?
A: The cost depends on the complexity of the material (for example, sports shoes with metal buckles + color printing are more expensive).
> Note: The above process is based on the current REACH regulations (2025). Please refer to the latest ECHA guidelines for specific implementation. If you need a customized solution or further analysis, please provide the details of your shoe materials and I will help refine the testing strategy.
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