There's a recent signal from Europe that I think is interesting for Thai entrepreneurs, especially those who make ceramic products, plates, bowls, glassware, tableware, or home decor items that come into contact with food.

News from DITP indicates that the Netherlands has tightened standards regarding food-contact ceramics. While this might sound like niche news, for exporters, it's a signal that shouldn't be ignored. The European market is no longer solely focused on design or price, but is beginning to scrutinize material safety, product testing, and the necessary import certifications.

The signs we can see from this.

What has changed isn't just the "new rules," but the mindset of the end market. European buyers, especially retailers, restaurants, hotels, and importers, are demanding greater assurance that the products used in food are free from contamination risks or substandard materials.

For Thai manufacturers, this could be both an opportunity and a risk. If our products are of good quality, we have testing systems in place, and we have complete documentation, we can communicate more confidently with buyers. However, if we only sell based on product images, prices, and general descriptions, encountering a market that asks more in-depth questions about standards could delay or even lead to missed deals.

Things Thai SMEs should check before accepting orders.

Before exporting ceramic or tableware products to Europe, I'd like entrepreneurs to check these five things first.

• Is that product classified as a food contact material?
• Are there any test results available for the materials, paints, coatings, or substances that might migrate to food?
• What type of test report does the importer require from the lab?
• Do the labels, packaging, and product descriptions use all the language and information that the target market needs?
• Do the documents attached to the shipment match the actual product, model, and production lot?

Often, problems don't arise during the sale, but rather at the receiving end when additional documentation is requested, or when product inspection reveals discrepancies. For example, the model name in the invoice doesn't match the test report, or the actual usage doesn't match what's specified in the documentation.

Why is this related to shipping?

When discussing exports, many people often think of shipping costs first. However, for goods requiring end-product standards, documentation must be planned in parallel. Because even if the freight arrives on time, if the documentation is incomplete or the information is unclear, the goods may be stuck at the destination, resulting in additional inspection delays or unforeseen costs for the importer.

If Thai entrepreneurs want to start penetrating the European market, ceramic products, kitchenware, and home decor still have room, but they should start by organizing their product information more thoroughly. It's not enough to just have pretty pictures or packaging; they need to answer questions like: Is the product food-safe? What tests has it undergone? And what supporting documentation is available?

Check before making a move.

Before sending samples or accepting a final order, ask yourself a short question: "If the importer requests documents today, are we ready to provide them?" If not, this might be a good starting point for reorganizing your product system. In a market with stricter standards, those who are better prepared with the necessary information tend to conduct business more quickly.

Sometimes, export opportunities don't just start with finding new markets. They may begin with preparing our existing products for markets that ask more specific questions.

Source: DITP – Netherlands tightens standards for food contact ceramics.
Source URL: https://www.ditp.go.th/post/bbb46l7k5p70fxtro9920v2m