Compliance isn’t only about structure — what a chair is made of matters too. Two regimes dominate buyer questions: REACH for the EU and Prop 65 for California. Here is what each requires and how to stay clean.
Two regimes, two markets
REACH is the EU’s chemicals regulation; it restricts substances of very high concern (SVHC) and sets limits on things like phthalates and flame retardants. California Prop 65 requires a warning if a product exposes users to listed chemicals above a safe-harbor level. Different markets, different logic — but both affect material choices.
REACH (EU): SVHC, phthalates, flame retardants
REACH limits specific substances in components — soft PVC, PU foam, adhesives and coatings are the usual suspects. For chairs, watch plasticizers (phthalates) in PVC parts and certain flame retardants in foam. Compliance is documented per material, not per chair. 我们按 BIFMA X5.1（北美）、EN 1335（欧盟）来造，CE 和 ISO 9001 都是现成的。具体型号证书和有效期，按你的目标市场我再确认。
California Prop 65: warnings, not bans
Prop 65 doesn’t ban substances — it requires a clear warning if exposure exceeds safe-harbor levels. Many imported products carry a generic ‘this product contains chemicals known to the State of California…’ label. It’s a disclosure, not a defect — but missing it on a California-bound shipment is a liability. 我们按 BIFMA X5.1（北美）、EN 1335（欧盟）来造，CE 和 ISO 9001 都是现成的。具体型号证书和有效期，按你的目标市场我再确认。
What this means for materials (PU foam, PVC, adhesives)
Specify low-phthalate or phthalate-free PVC, compliant PU foam, and verified adhesives when shipping to the EU or California. The cost delta is small versus the risk of a recall or a class-action-style claim. Match the material spec to the destination at PO time.
How to get compliant documentation from your supplier
Request material declarations and, where needed, third-party test reports naming the exact components. A supplier who can produce them is managing compliance; one who can’t is a risk. 测试我们走第三方实验室，SGS/BV 是常合作的对象，哪个市场要我们就走哪个。 Build the documentation requirement into the contract, not the complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does REACH apply to small orders? Yes — it applies to products placed on the EU market regardless of volume. Material compliance is per component.
Is a Prop 65 warning a red flag? No — it’s a required disclosure for many imported goods sold in California, not a sign of a defective product.
Need the exact numbers for your project?
The figures above are industry baselines. For a real quote — loading count for your specific model, MOQ, lead time and certifications for your market — contact our sourcing team with your target specs.