Certificates Buyers Should Request: COA, MSDS, RoHS and REACH
When you buy powder coating from a new supplier, the paperwork is part of the product. Certificates protect you from specification drift, safety surprises and compliance problems at customs. This guide explains the four documents buyers should always request – and how to read them so they are more than a checkbox.
Why Documents Matter
A powder coating batch is defined by its recipe, and the recipe is what you actually buy. Certificates are the evidence trail that the delivered powder matches the agreed specification. They also protect you downstream: if a coating fails in service, a COA from the supplier is the starting point for a claim; if customs asks about compliance, RoHS and REACH statements clear the shipment.
The COA: What to Check
- Product name and batch number must match the drums you received
- Cure schedule and recommended film thickness on the data sheet
- Measured properties: gloss, color difference, gel time or flow
- Test date and expiry or shelf-life guidance
- Signature or stamp of the responsible person
MSDS and Transport Documents
The Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS/SDS) covers storage, handling and emergency information, and it must be in the language your warehouse and staff understand. For international shipping, request the transport classification documents – most thermosetting powders ship as non-dangerous goods, but confirming this in writing avoids delays at customs and surprises with freight rates.
RoHS and REACH: What They Cover
- RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment – relevant if your coated parts go into appliances or electronics
- REACH is the EU regulation on chemicals; a declaration of conformity covers restricted substances on the SVHC candidate list
- Ask which of the two applies to your market: EU buyers usually need both statements
- A written declaration is useful, but a third-party test report is stronger evidence
Third-Party Test Reports
Supplier self-declarations are convenient but self-serving. When the coating will carry a performance guarantee – water contact approvals, salt spray hours, food contact – request the underlying third-party test report (SGS, TUV, Intertek or similar) and check that the tested product name and batch match what you are ordering.
The Practical Document List
- COA for every batch
- SDS in your language
- RoHS and REACH declarations for EU-bound goods
- WRAS/ACS or NSF certificate when the coating touches drinking water
- Third-party test report for any guaranteed performance claim
Frequently Asked Questions
Which certificates should I request from a powder coating supplier?
Request a COA for every batch, an SDS in your language, RoHS and REACH declarations for EU-bound goods, a WRAS/ACS or NSF certificate when the coating touches drinking water, and third-party test reports for any guaranteed performance claim.
What is a COA and why does it matter?
A COA (Certificate of Analysis) records the actual measured properties of a powder coating batch, such as gloss, color difference, gel time and flow. It is the evidence trail that the delivered powder matches the agreed specification, and the starting point for a claim if the coating fails in service.
What is the difference between RoHS and REACH?
RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, so it matters if your coated parts go into appliances or electronics. REACH is the EU regulation on chemicals, and a declaration of conformity covers restricted substances on the SVHC candidate list. EU buyers usually need both statements.
Is a third-party test report stronger than a supplier declaration?
Yes. Supplier self-declarations are convenient but self-serving; a third-party test report from SGS, TUV, Intertek or similar is stronger evidence, especially when the coating carries a performance guarantee such as salt spray hours or water contact approvals.
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