EU REACH testing items and procedures for car seat cushions
Date：2025-08-04 09:54:26 Classification
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The test items and standard procedures for REACH testing required for car seat cushions exported to the EU are integrated from EU regulatory requirements and official instructions from third-party testing agencies:
I. Core REACH Testing Items (By Material)
Car seat cushions must be tested separately based on material properties, with a focus on the following items:
1. Textile fabrics (non-metallic)
- Full SVHC testing: Currently, 250 substances of very high concern (SVHC) must be tested (as of July 2025)
- Specific high-risk substances:
- Phthalates (plasticizers) ≤ 1000 ppm (e.g., PVC coatings, artificial leather)
- Azo dyes (AZO) ≤ 30 mg/kg (banned carcinogenic aromatic amines)
- Formaldehyde emission ≤ 75 mg/kg (for wrinkle-resistant fabrics)
2. Filling (sponge/memory foam, etc.)
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) ≤ 1 mg/kg (if containing petroleum derivatives)
- Flame retardant testing (e.g., TCEP, TDCP, etc.) ≤ 1000ppm
3. Metal accessories (buckles, slide rails, etc.)
- Simplified testing: Only 71 heavy metals are tested (cadmium ≤ 100ppm, lead/mercury/chromium, etc. ≤ 1000ppm)
- Nickel release ≤ 0.5μg/cm²/week (for parts in direct contact with skin)
4. Plastic/rubber parts
- Phthalates (DEHP/DBP, etc.) ≤ 1000ppm
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) for black rubber parts
> Note: Seat cushions containing electronic heating elements must also comply with the RoHS Directive (lead, cadmium, etc. limits).
2. Testing process and cycle
1. Preliminary preparation
- Sample requirements:
- Provide 1 complete seat cushion + split materials (textile fabric 10×10cm, filling 20g, metal/plastic accessories 5g each)
- Provide a bill of materials (BOM), marking the material proportion of each component [[4]()]
2. Inspection process
| Steps | Key points
| ① Select an institution | Identify ISO 17025 qualified laboratories (such as Dezewei Testing)
| ② Split samples | Non-metallic parts are tested for 211 items, and metal parts are tested for 71 items (to reduce costs)
| ③ Laboratory analysis | Textiles/plastics: GC-MS/HPLC; Metals: XRF screening + chemical verification
| ④ Issue a report | Attach test data, compliance conclusion and ECHA registration number
3. Total cycle: Normal 5-7 working days, expedited can be shortened to 3 days
III. Compliance Key Points and Cost Optimization
1. Cost Reference
- Basic Testing: Non-metallic Materials ¥1500, Metallic Materials ¥1000-1500
- Mixed Testing Strategy: Mixed sampling of fabrics with multiple colors from the same batch (must be made of the same material)
2. Frequent Failure Points
- Phthalates Exceeding Standards (PVC Plasticizer Migration)
- Azo Dyes (Red/Black Fabrics are Susceptible to Residues of Banned Amines)
- Nickel Release (Metal Buckle Electroplating Process Substandard)
3. Ongoing Compliance Recommendations
- Verify SVHC List Updates Every 6 Months (ECHA Official Website)
- Retesting Required When Materials Change (e.g., Change of Supplier or Formula)
- Maintain Supply Chain Material Declarations (SDS)
IV. Post-Certification Steps
1. Prepare Technical Files (including REACH Report, Declaration of Conformity, and Supply Chain Material Certification)
2. Affix the CE Mark to the Product (If the seat cushion is a vehicle component, it must also comply with the Automotive Directive)
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