The export value of Vietnamese handicrafts reached 1.6 billion USD in 2014, this is the target set by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for 2015. The European Union (EU), The US and Japan are the main markets for Vietnamese handicraft exports. Each market has its own requirements for imported products, handicraft manufacturers must understand and comply to ensure that they can be exported to different markets.
Requirements of the US market
Crafts/art deco goods imported into the US may be subject to a variety of regulations/standards. All art deco goods are subject to LHAMA regulation, which may include approval by the Toxicology Board for compliance with ASTM D4236. Depending on the specific nature of the product – for example a child or adult product, these products may be subject to one or more different standards such as ASTM F963 (toys), 16CFR etc.
Requirements of the Japanese market
Meanwhile, there are no mandatory requirements for handicrafts in general and handicrafts imported into Japan. However, the following provisions may apply to handicrafts depending on the product type and characteristics:
1) Mandatory import regulations (not allowed to import if these requirements are not complied with)
Products in contact with food (FCM) are subject to the Food Sanitation Act - Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW)
2) Mandatory regulations for sales/distribution (can be imported if the following requirements are not met, but these requirements must be fulfilled at the point of sale)
Clothing and household goods are subject to the Household Goods Quality Labeling Act - Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
Consumer goods subject to the Law on Control of Household Products containing Harmful Substances - Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW)
Requirements of the European market
The EU is a market with strict import requirements. Many Vietnamese enterprises do not know that some chemicals used in the production of handicraft products are on the restricted list. As a result, 90% of handmade products sent to TUV Rheinland Vietnam for testing failed the first test and only passed after more than two tests after replacing some raw materials and chemicals used in the production process. Vietnamese companies need to test the chemicals used to ensure compliance with EU requirements. Businesses should also pay attention to regulations that apply specifically to certain types of products.
Pay attention to the use of chemicals
Glue
During the manufacturing process, many parts of the product are attached and bonded together with glue. With products from rattan, bamboo. Glue is also used a lot to glue and press components together. There are different types of glue on the market, which have complex ingredients and may contain substances banned in the EU such as formaldehyde. In case products using glue containing formaldehyde will be prohibited from being imported into the EU. Therefore, before buying glue, enterprises need to conduct tests at reputable laboratories recognized by the buyer to ensure that the glue complies with the requirements of the European market.
Studies have shown that formaldehyde is a carcinogen. The prohibition on the use of formaldehyde is covered by the German Prohibited Chemicals Ordinance and the European Food Contact Product Regulation.
Anti-mold / termite agent
Because many processing materials are taken from nature such as rattan, bamboo, wood, etc., anti-mould chemicals are widely used. Many anti-mold chemicals such as those in the Chlorinated Phenol group (Pentachlorophenol - PCP, Tetrachlorobenzene - TeCP, Trichlorobenzene - TCP ) are banned and strictly controlled when exporting to the European market.
PCP belongs to the group of extremely toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. These chemicals are restricted under Annex XVII of REACH regulation 1907/2006/EC and banned in some European countries such as Germany, Switzerland, Denmark.
It should be noted that in the process of agricultural and forestry production, chemicals such as Carbendazim are often widely used as a fungicide for plants. When these trees are harvested, they are placed close to the raw materials used for crafts such as bamboo and wood. This can lead to cross-contamination in raw materials and should be taken into account in production as Carbendazim residues can be found on materials used in the manufacture of crafts.
Studies have shown that high doses of Carbendazim can cause infertility and destroy the testicles of laboratory animals. Carbendazim belongs to the category of pesticides and must not exceed regulatory limits (this limit varies by product.)
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Paints and colors
The process of decoration, preservation ... on handicraft products often use a lot of colors, paints ... This is one of the sources that can cause unwanted harmful effects to consumers and requires Strict quality control such as:
Do not stop the color causing dirt for users
Is the content of phthalates within the permissible limit?
Do colors or paints contain prohibited dyes (such as azo dyes)
Are there banned substances such as polycyclic aromatic compounds (PAHs)?
Does it contain formaldehyde?
Is the lead content above the allowable limit?
These compounds are absorbed or remain in the final product and are harmful to health.
Substances that should be tested
Handicraft products are manufactured from a variety of materials and each material may present a different source of risk and need to be tested individually, for example:
Pesticides for raw materials from wood, bamboo
Heavy metals for metal-based materials or dyes
Azo dyes are prohibited
Regulations that apply specifically to certain types of products
Many products can be used for many purposes, for example bamboo and wooden bowls can be used as decorations but can also be used as cake or fruit bowls. For these products, the EU requires that quality control apply not only to the standards of the decoration but also to the regulations of the materials in contact with food, so the requirements such as discolouration, migration chemicals, odor removal, total contamination ... must also be strictly controlled.
Products that can be used by children or can be played or played with by children (unintentionally) are often much more tightly controlled. With these products, the limit for chemicals is often many times lower than that of adults, besides some locations such as small holes, sharp edges, fragile locations creating small pieces ... can be dangerous. The danger to children is also strictly controlled by the EU.
Conclude
In order to have export products in accordance with the safety standards of the import market, businesses should work closely with buyers and independent inspection agencies to know what needs to be controlled. for your particular product.
Source :ÜV Rheinland Vietnam
However, our business always strives to improve product quality to meet the high standards of the international market. The proof is that a lot of our company's handicraft orders have been successfully exported to many markets around the world. The company also received many certificates proving the origin of goods and product quality.
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