Three questions decide the tests
What is the product used for? What is it made of? Where will it be sold? A wooden toy for the EU, a plastic lunch box for the US and a phone charger for the UK each need a completely different set of tests.
Common test families
Most requirements fall into a few groups. Your market's rules decide which apply.
- Chemical: lead, cadmium, phthalates and restricted substances.
- Food contact: migration of substances from the material into food.
- Mechanical and physical: small parts, sharp edges, stability.
- Electrical: safety, electromagnetic compatibility, radio.
- Flammability: textiles, foam and children's products.
When to test
Testing a pre-production sample shows whether the design and materials can pass. Testing samples drawn from mass production proves that what you actually ship passes. For regulated products, buyers and marketplaces increasingly expect the second.
Choosing a lab
Use a third-party laboratory accredited for the tests you need. Check that the report names your product, model and the standard tested against. A report for a 'similar' product from another buyer rarely protects you.
Reading a test report properly
A test report is only useful if it covers your product. Check the applicant and manufacturer names, the product description and model numbers, the standard and its version, the date, and the result for each clause. A report for a similar product, or one that is several years old, may not be accepted by a marketplace or customs.
Keeping test costs under control
Group products made from the same materials into one test plan where the standard allows it, test early on pre-production samples so failures are found before mass production, and keep a register of reports with their expiry or review dates. Retesting only when materials or suppliers change saves money year after year.
