TTS GLOBALTTS / SERVICE GUIDE
Chemical Testing for Consumer Products & Restricted Substances
Investigate selected substances in raw materials and finished goods.
Request a quote
01 / WHEN TO USE IT
Know what is in your product
- You need evidence about selected substances in a material.
- A buyer specification calls for chemical analysis.
- You are investigating variation between batches or suppliers.
Understand the service in detail
A chemical test is most useful when it answers a defined question. You may need to investigate a buyer complaint, assess a raw material, check a supplier specification or obtain results for a destination-market requirement. TTS helps connect that question with the material and a suitable analytical approach. Different materials and substances can require different preparation and methods. The agreed brief therefore identifies what is being measured, which samples are covered and how the results will be compared with the supplied criteria.
- 01Material & exposure→
- 02Substance & method→
- 03Measured result→
- 04Compare the correct limit
A scope guide; the actual methods and criteria are agreed for the project.
02 / A CLOSER LOOK
A chemical name is not a complete test instruction.
Open a checkpoint to see the evidence recorded and how it informs your decision.
01Material and exposure
Identify the substrate, coating, contact with skin or mouth where relevant, product use and market.
The same substance can be assessed differently depending on the product and applicable requirement.
02Total content, release or migration
Clarify whether the question concerns what a material contains or what it releases under specified conditions.
Results from different extraction, release or total-content methods cannot be treated as interchangeable.
03Analytical method
Discuss appropriate methods and preparation, which may involve techniques such as ICP-MS or GC-MS when suitable for the agreed analyte and material.
The selected method, reporting limit and sample quantity must support the actual decision. Availability is confirmed in the laboratory scope.
04Reporting and comparison
Require clear sample identification, units, method references and the supplied specification limits.
“Not detected” should be read with the method’s reporting limit; it is not a statement that no molecule of the substance exists.
ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE
“Not detected” still needs a reporting limit.
- !
The situation
“Not detected” uses a reporting limit above the requirement.
- ◎
What to record
Compare the method’s reporting limit with the applicable threshold.
- ↗
The next decision
Choose a method sensitive enough for the decision.
Read the full scenario
Illustrative example: a buyer specification has a low substance limit, but a previous report’s reporting limit is higher. The report cannot resolve whether the sample meets the buyer’s tighter criterion. Discuss a suitable method and preparation with the laboratory before using that result for approval or rejection.
03 / STANDARDS & REQUIREMENTS
The rule.
The scope.
The evidence.
Applicability and editions are confirmed for your product, market and project date.
Buyer RSL / restricted-substance list
Provide the complete list, limits, methods and target materials. RSL requirements can go beyond or differ from a generic market test package.
Official source & scopeREACH Annex XVII / RoHS
Possible regulatory inputs depending on the product; choose the applicable material and method instead of combining unrelated limits.
Official source & scope04 / THE WORKING PROCESS
From your brief
to your next step.
01Prepare the brief
Share the question, available specification and material information.
02Start the work
Confirm technical feasibility, method, sample needs and the agreed scope.
03Examine & record
Submit labelled samples with their supporting records.
04Review & follow up
Receive results and identify whether further sampling or supplier investigation is needed.
Content guide; the agreed service determines the final deliverable.
05 / YOUR DELIVERABLE
A basis for
your next decision.
Analytical results linked to the submitted materials and agreed test methods.
How to use the result
Use the findings to compare the tested samples, investigate a concern or request corrective action. Results for one submitted sample should not be extended to unrelated batches without an appropriate sampling and evidence plan.
06 / Discuss your project
What to send for a quotation
- Material name, composition information and batch references.
- Substances or properties to investigate and acceptance criteria.
- Available samples, safety information where relevant and previous results.
Practical questions
Can different colours be combined into one test sample?
Only if the proposed grouping and method remain suitable for the requirement and the buyer accepts the coverage. Combining materials can obscure the source of a result or dilute a relevant constituent.
Can TTS suggest a scope if I only know the material and market?
Share those details and your intended use. The proposed scope can then be discussed before samples are sent.