Hello Everybody,
I m trying to set up a trading company based in Vietnam which is focused on home decor items.
I m a bit concern about the certifications the company must hold for make possible to export in EU and USA. For example I heard that soon EU and USA will require ISO certificate as compulsory...is it true? I hope is not cz it would be a non-sense investment for a start-up.
What other authorizations or certificates are a must for trade with EU and USA?
Thank you very much for any help and info.

I export cashmere handloom blankets to Europe and so far the only certification I am required to submit for every shipment is GSP Certificate of Origin and the handmade nature of my goods to get duty-free treatment.  A buyer in Germany requires content certification of my goods and accepts either a national authority's certification or the raw material supplier's SGS certification .  Some buyers also require a written guarantee (so far no certifications required) that my production processes are environment friendly so I give details about processes and colour dyes used.

I think when it comes to specific requirements each buyer will have her/his own set of them so I don't worry but cross the bridge as it comes. 

You can read about EU Trade Policy Guidelines here http://ec.europa.eu/trade/issues/global/index_en.htm

macs2005

Replying to [Pippo]:If you want to export some items to EU, you have to gain the certification of CE. It is compulsory. Actually, I've concerned very much on international certification. If you or someone else has such kind experience, please share it with us.
Thanks a lot.

Replying to [Pippo]:To macs2005, thank you for your website. I am finding this for long time.

Hello Mike.  Thanks.  Glad you found it.  It's under revision so revisit it in beginning 2008 as I have diversified into other products.


macs2005

Replying to [Pippo]: Thank you very much Vivian and Mac...and thank you for the wishes, really appreciated.
So....if I understand well so far besides CE or UL for lighting products there's not other requirements in my case that i should worry about from EU countries' governements, but some certificate it may be required from single buyers...correct?
CE or UL = I have it stamped on the electric part of my lamps (Which i buy from 3rd supplier)
GSP or certificate of origin = is provided by the shipping company
SGS = not compulsory but it may be required from buyer
REACH= it regard Chemicals products, not my case
ISO= same as SGS
everything correct?
What about SA8000? do I need it even if I m just trading company?

Thank you again to everybody
Pippo

Replying to Macs2005]: Hello Macs,
could you please tell me something more about this :

"content certification of my goods and accepts either a national authority's certification"

what is exactly and how you got it?
Thank you
Pippo

Replying to [Pippo]:Gr8 Vivian, you have rightly explained the terms

Replying to [Pippo]:I think quality is the key to every company,ISO is a organization to generate a benchmark enable different company could reach the same quality standard.from global aspects ISO9001 significantly reduce defective products from the cradle to the grave personally I think if you want export your products into other country you have to pass strict quality certificates so to your question is you have to prepare relevant stuffs to get through certificates .

Quoting from [Pippo]:


Hello Everybody,

I m trying to set up a trading company based in Vietnam which is focused on home decor items.

I m a bit concern about the certifications the company must hold for make possible to export in EU and USA. For example I heard that soon EU and USA will require ISO certificate as compulsory...is it true? I hope is not cz it would be a non-sense investment for a start-up.

What other authorizations or certificates are a must for trade with EU and USA?

Thank you very much for any help and info.

It's about the cashmere content of my blankets.  So had to have the yarns tested to determine cashmere purity.

All the best,

macs2005