Quality control and EU compliance for stationery
Most stationery suppliers do not publish which rules apply to their goods. We do. This page sets out what applies to pens, paints, crayons, erasers, notebooks, school bags and office items, which documents we ask for, and what we do and do not claim.
The General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR) has applied to consumer products since 13 December 2024, so GPSR stationery labelling is the starting point for every item. Toy safety rules apply only to items designed for play by children under 14. EN standards are a basis for requesting data, not a claim of certification. We check what exists for your exact model and tell you before you order. This is not legal advice.
What we do for an order
Factory check
Before ordering: licence, capacity, export experience and the reports the factory can show for its inks, paints and plastics.
Samples
Ink flow, line width, paper weight, ruling, binding, print and colour against your specification and approved proof.
Inspection before shipment
AQL sampling of finished goods: quantity, writing test, appearance, packaging, barcodes and labels.
Documents
Declarations, test reports where they exist or are ordered, safety data sheets, labels and traceability data.
What applies to each product type
| Product type | What applies or serves as a reference | What we ask for |
|---|---|---|
| All consumer products | GPSR, Regulation (EU) 2023/988: importer duties (Art. 11), an EU responsible person (Art. 16), data in online offers (Art. 19) | Label with manufacturer, importer and batch or type number; warnings and instructions in the language of sale |
| Pens, pencils, markers, crayons and paints for writing and drawing | GPSR. Generally not toys when intended for writing or drawing, even if children use them. EN 71-3 is often used as a reference for children's crayons and paints | For children's items, the manufacturer's test reports (for example EN 71-3) on request, per product |
| Items designed for play: figure erasers, kids art and craft sets, finger paints, play-type stationery sets | Toy Safety Directive 2009/48/EC with CE marking by the manufacturer and the EN 71 series as harmonised standards | Declaration of conformity and EN 71 test reports for the exact product; otherwise we do not offer it as a toy |
| Products that could be mistaken for food | GPSR treats products that imitate food and could be confused with it as a safety risk, especially for children | We avoid food-shaped and food-scented items for children's ranges |
| Plastics and PVC: pencil cases, book covers, sheet protectors, grips, erasers | REACH, Regulation (EC) 1907/2006: Annex XVII restrictions such as phthalates in plasticised material and PAH in rubber or plastic parts in contact with skin; SVHC information under Art. 33 | REACH declaration or test report from the manufacturer where the material requires it; SVHC information on request |
| Inks, paints, glues and correction fluids | REACH restrictions, including certain heavy metals in paints and coatings; CLP Regulation (EC) 1272/2008 where a mixture is classified as hazardous | Safety data sheet where one is required; REACH declaration; CLP labelling checked before printing |
| Calculators, electric sharpeners and erasers, LED items | CE: EMC and RoHS; LVD only for mains-powered items. Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 for battery labelling and producer registration in each country of sale | Declaration of conformity and supporting reports for the exact model; battery data |
| Notebooks, paper, pencils and wooden organisers | EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 for relevant paper and wood products, as it applies. FSC or PEFC only with a valid chain-of-custody certificate | Origin and supply-chain data from the manufacturer; FSC or PEFC certificate on request, where available |
| School bags and pencil cases | GPSR. Reflective parts and adjustable straps are a matter of specification, not a mandatory standard | Material composition, coating data and REACH information for PVC or PU parts |
| Packaging | PPWR, Regulation (EU) 2025/40, applying since 12 Aug 2026; EPR by country: LUCID in Germany, BDO in Poland, Triman and EPR for packaging and paper in France, packaging labelling in Italy | Packaging data for your markets; own-brand packaging can make you the manufacturer |
This is not legal advice. Standards are paid documents, and some points above are our own reading. We check them for each order, and suggest you confirm them with your adviser or a laboratory.
What you receive with an order
- GPSR label with manufacturer, importer and EU address
- Warnings, age guidance and instructions in your languages
- Batch or order number for traceability
- REACH declarations and test reports the item needs, where they exist or are ordered
- CE declaration of conformity for electrical items and toys
- Inspection report with photos before shipment
Frequently asked questions
Are crayons toys under EU law?
Usually not. Crayons, coloured pencils and paints intended for drawing are generally not toys, even when children use them. Kids art sets and finger paints designed for play can be toys, and then the Toy Safety Directive and CE marking apply. We decide this per product with the manufacturer's documentation.
Do you supply EN 71-3 reports for crayons?
For children's crayons and paints we request the manufacturer's EN 71-3 test reports, which cover the migration of certain elements, and you receive them per product where they exist. We do not make certification claims for EN 71. If no report exists, a test can be ordered for your model.
What does REACH mean for stationery?
REACH stationery checks focus on the material: phthalates in soft PVC covers and cases, PAH in rubber grips and erasers, heavy metals in paints and coatings. We request REACH declarations or test reports from the manufacturer where the material requires it, and SVHC information on request.
Who is the EU responsible person?
When you buy from us, EnjoyGroup Sp. z o.o. in Poland is the importer and the EU address on the label. If you import yourself, you need an EU economic operator for the product.
What changes under my own brand?
A company selling under its own name or brand is treated as the manufacturer under GPSR Art. 13. We are still the importer, and we set out who does what in the contract.
Which inspection standard do you use?
Pre-shipment inspections follow AQL sampling (ISO 2859-1), with limits agreed per product. Pens and markers are writing-tested on a sample from each carton group; notebooks are checked for ruling, binding and print.
Send us your product list
Links, photos or a spreadsheet are enough. You get delivered prices, minimums, lead times and the documents available within 2 working days.
Request a quote
Send a product list, links or photos. We reply with prices delivered to your country, minimum quantities and lead times.
- Reply on working days, usually within a few hours
- Prices delivered to your door, customs and VAT included in the calculation
- Written offer within 2 working days