Restricted Substances Screening (RSS): Prevent Compliance Risks at the Factory Gate
Stop Discovering Restricted Substances in Finished Products. Start Preventing Them at the Gate.
If you’re still waiting until the finished garment, toy, or electronic gadget to test for restricted substances, you’re taking unnecessary risk with your supply chain.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and independent studies confirm that approximately 20 % of consumer products screened in EU and US markets still contain chemicals that violate current regulations.
That’s not a minor issue. That’s shipments being rejected, blocked containers, recalls, damaged brand reputation, and sustainability programs turned into crisis management.
Most companies only discover the problem when it’s far too late and far too expensive.
There is a smarter, simpler way — and it begins with upstream chemical management, before a single drop of chemicals ever enters production.
The Law That Never Lies
Input = Output + Accumulation
Whatever restricted substance enters your factory gate will end up in the finished product, the wastewater, or the waste stream. There is no “it will evaporate,” no “it’s only trace,” no “the supplier said it was clean.”
If a phthalate, APEO, PFAS, heavy metal, or any other restricted substance is present in the resin, dye, glue, or coating you receive, it will still be there when the product reaches your customer — or the regulator.
That’s why testing raw materials and chemical formulations isn’t optional anymore. It’s the new standard for brands and factories that want to stay ahead.
Why Finished-Product Testing Alone Is No Longer Enough
The traditional model — test only at the end — feels comfortable because it’s what everyone has always done.
But it’s reactive, costly, and dangerously late.
By the time you detect a failure in the finished item, you’ve already paid for material, production, freight, and lost the delivery window. But with Raw material substances screening, instead of catching failures, you can prevent them.
Introducing QIMA Restricted Substances Screening (RSS)
The most comprehensive upstream screening service on the market today.
One single test. Over 500 restricted substances. Minimum 4-working-day turnaround.
All major regulations covered in one test:
AFIRM RSL
ZDHC MRSL
REACH SVHC (Candidate List)
REACH Annex XVII (restricted substances)
California Proposition 65 (most relevant chemicals)
US State CHCC / HPCCCH lists (Washington, Maine, Vermont, Oregon, New York, etc.)
Perfect for:
Chemical formulations (dyes, auxiliaries, resins, glues, inks, coatings)
Base raw materials (polymers, plastics, metals)
Semi-finished materials (dyed fabrics, coated leathers, printed components)
Trims and accessories
Industries already benefiting: All consumer products - Textile & Apparel · Footwear · Leather Goods · Toys & Juvenile Products · Electronics · Furniture · Packaging · Hardlines
A Strategic Advantage for Brands: Identify & Reward the Best Suppliers
When multiple factories bid for your business, the ones who proactively provide clean RSS results on their resins, dyes, and auxiliaries instantly stand out. They prove — with independent lab results — that they already control their chemicals at the gate.
Those are the partners you want to give more volume, longer contracts, and priority status to.
Next step
You can learn more about our RSS service here or contact us to get started.
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