Before selling wristwatches to EU consumers, you need to make sure the products are properly labelled and comply with all applicable directives. In this regard, compliance with the following directives is often required:
- REACH
This Regulation restricts chemicals, heavy metals, and pollutants in all products sold in the EU. If your wristwatch contains excessive amounts of substances, such as lead and mercury, it is illegal to import and sell your product in the EU. To ensure compliance with REACH, you need to perform third-party lab testing to prove that your product does not contain excessive amounts of dangerous substances. There are no special labelling requirements and markings.
- RoHS
RoHS regulates the use of heavy metals in electrical components, such as battery-powered quartz movements. You can prove compliance with the directive's requirements by performing third-party lab testing and affixing the CE marking symbol to the product's surface.
- WEEE
The WEEE Directive regulates the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment. Thus, all electrical products (incl. wristwatches) must bear the WEEE symbol, which indicates the requirement for separate waste collection.
- EMC Directive
Compliance with the EMC Directive is especially important for wristwatches that are WiFi or Bluetooth enabled. Products must have complete technical documentation (incl. test report for EMC compliance) and bear the CE marking symbol.