Quality control and EU compliance for fashion accessories
Most accessory wholesalers do not publish which rules apply to their goods. We do. This page sets out what applies to jewellery, sunglasses, leather goods, textiles and slippers, which documents we ask for, and what we do and do not claim.
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) has applied to consumer products since 13 December 2024, and REACH sets limits for nickel, cadmium and lead in jewellery. Standards such as EN 1811 are a basis for requesting data and tests, not a statement that a product is certified. We check what exists for your exact model and tell you before you order. This is not legal advice.
What we do for an order
Factory check
Before ordering: licence, capacity, export experience and the reports the factory can show for the model.
Samples
Base metal, plating colour, stones, clasps, stitching, lining and sizes against your specification.
Inspection before shipment
AQL sampling of finished goods: quantity, plating and finish, closures, function, packaging and labels.
Documents
Supplier test reports, lab tests where ordered, declarations of conformity, label texts and traceability data.
What applies to each product type
| Product type | What applies or serves as a reference | What we ask for |
|---|---|---|
| All consumer products | GPSR, Regulation (EU) 2023/988: an EU economic operator, name, postal and e-mail address on the product, its packaging or an accompanying document; type or batch number; warnings in the language of sale; the same data in online offers | Label or card with manufacturer, importer and batch or type number; for small jewellery the data go on the card, tag or pouch |
| Jewellery and metal parts in prolonged skin contact: nickel | REACH Annex XVII: nickel release limit of 0.5 µg/cm²/week, and 0.2 µg/cm²/week for parts inserted into pierced ears. EN 1811 is the test method for nickel release | Supplier test report per model; an EN 1811 lab test before shipment on request. A supplier’s “nickel-free” is treated as their statement until we see the report |
| Jewellery: cadmium and lead | REACH Annex XVII: cadmium in metal parts of jewellery limited to 0.01 % by weight; lead in jewellery parts to 0.05 % by weight, with exemptions such as crystal glass | Supplier test data for the metal, plating and solder; lab tests ordered where data are missing |
| Leather goods: wallets, belts, gloves, bag straps | REACH Annex XVII: chromium VI limit for leather articles in contact with the skin. “Genuine leather” only where the supplier confirms it; PU is labelled PU or faux leather | Chromium VI data for the leather; written confirmation of leather or PU |
| Textiles and leather in skin contact | REACH Annex XVII: restriction of azo dyes that can release certain aromatic amines. Phthalates in PVC and plastic parts and PAH in rubber and plastic parts in skin contact are also restricted | Supplier data on dyes for scarves, hats, gloves and linings; on phthalates and PAH for PVC straps, soles and plastic parts |
| Sunglasses | Personal protective equipment category I under Regulation (EU) 2016/425: CE marking and an EU declaration of conformity. Filter categories 0–4 per EN ISO 12312-1; user information in the language of the country, including “not for driving” where the category requires it. Prescription glasses are medical devices and not in our range | EU declaration of conformity and the test report behind it for each model; filter category on the frame or label; “polarised” only where the product card states it |
| Textile products: hats, scarves, gloves, fabric bags | Regulation (EU) No 1007/2011: fibre composition label in the language of the country of sale | Fibre composition per model and per part where materials differ |
| Footwear: slippers | Directive 94/11/EC: material labelling of upper, lining and sole, by words or pictograms. Textile uppers also need fibre data under the textile rules | Upper, lining and sole materials as separate entries; size range and grading |
| Plush keychains and bag charms | May fall under the Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC if likely to be used by children for play. We check this per item and do not market keychains or jewellery to children | Assessment of the design and intended use; toy documents where they apply |
| Packaging | Extended producer responsibility for packaging by country: LUCID in Germany, BDO in Poland, Triman marking in France | Packaging weights by material for cards, pouches, boxes and displays, for your registrations |
This is not legal advice. Standards are paid documents, and limits can change. We check the rules for each order, and suggest you confirm them with your adviser or a laboratory.
What you receive with an order
- GPSR data on the product, card, tag or pouch, with manufacturer, importer and EU address
- Warnings and user information in your languages
- Batch or order number for traceability
- Supplier test reports on nickel, cadmium and lead where they exist, or lab tests where ordered
- EU declaration of conformity for each sunglasses model
- Inspection report with photos before shipment
Frequently asked questions
What does REACH say about nickel in jewellery?
REACH Annex XVII limits how much nickel may be released from jewellery and metal parts in prolonged skin contact: 0.5 µg/cm²/week, and 0.2 for parts inserted into pierced ears. The limit is on release, measured to EN 1811, not on nickel content. We request the supplier’s report per model and can order a test before shipment.
Which skin-related claims can we put on jewellery?
We make no promises about skin tolerance or nickel content and advise you not to either. What you can state is what a report shows, for example that nickel release was tested to EN 1811. Stainless steel and plated brass behave differently, so the report has to be for the exact model and plating.
How does GPSR apply to fashion accessories?
GPSR for fashion accessories works as for any consumer product: an EU economic operator, contact details, a type or batch number and safety information in the language of sale. On small items such as earrings and hair clips the data go on the card, tag or pouch, and the same information must appear in your online offer.
Who is the EU responsible person?
When you buy from us, EnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o. in Poland is the importer and the EU address on the label. If you import yourself, you need an EU economic operator for the product.
What changes under my own brand?
A company selling under its own name or brand is treated as the manufacturer under GPSR Art. 13. We are still the importer, and we set out who does what in the contract.
Do you have your own laboratory?
No. Where tests are needed, such as EN 1811 for nickel release or cadmium and lead tests, we order them from accredited external laboratories and the cost is shown in the offer. Inspections follow AQL sampling (ISO 2859-1), with limits agreed per product.
Send us your product list
Links, photos or a spreadsheet are enough. You get delivered prices, minimums per model or assortment, lead times and the documents available within 2 working days.
Request a quote
Send a product list, links or photos. We reply with prices delivered to your country, minimum quantities and lead times.
- Reply on working days, usually within a few hours
- Prices delivered to your door, customs and VAT included in the calculation
- Written offer within 2 working days