Product Importers & Distributors
Our experts are ready to help you find the perfect solution whether it’s hallmarking, analytical testing or valuations,
Independent testing to protect your business, ensure compliance, and enable safe market access
Product importers and distributors sit at the centre of the consumer supply chain and carry significant legal responsibility for product safety and regulatory compliance. Under UK and EU regulations, importers and distributors must be able to demonstrate due diligence, maintain technical documentation, and ensure products placed on the market are safe and compliant.
Birmingham Assay Office’s Analytical Testing Laboratory provides independent, UK-based product safety testing to support importers and distributors across a wide range of consumer goods. Our services help businesses meet regulatory obligations, reduce risk, and trade with confidence in the UK and international markets.
Your challenges...
Importers and distributors face increasing pressure to:
- Comply with UK and retained EU product safety legislation
- Demonstrate due diligence to regulators and enforcement bodies
- Manage complex global supply chains with variable quality standards
- Ensure products are free from restricted or hazardous substances
- Meet retailer, marketplace, and trading standards requirements
- Respond quickly to complaints, inspections, or enforcement action
- Protect commercial relationships and brand reputation
Failure to meet these obligations can result in product withdrawals, fines, supply chain disruption, and reputational damage.
How Birmingham Assay Office supports you...
UKAS-Accredited Analytical Testing
Our laboratory provides independent analytical testing to support product safety and compliance, including:
- Heavy metal testing (lead, cadmium and other restricted substances)
- Nickel release testing where applicable
- Material composition and safety screening
All testing is conducted in accordance with relevant UK and EU standards, with clear, authoritative reporting.
Regulatory Compliance & Due Diligence Support
- Testing aligned with UK REACH and retained EU REACH requirements
- Support for General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR)
- Clear test reports suitable for technical files and compliance records
Helping importers and distributors evidence due diligence and regulatory compliance.
Pre-Market & Ongoing Supply Chain Testing
- Pre-import and pre-market safety testing
- Batch and spot testing to monitor ongoing compliance
- Supplier verification and onboarding support
Reducing risk before and after products enter the UK market.
Incident, Inspection & Enforcement Support
- Rapid testing following Trading Standards inspections
- Independent analysis to support investigations or challenges
- Evidence to inform corrective actions or product recalls
Providing clarity and authority during high-risk regulatory situations.
Get in Touch
If you are a product importer or distributor, Birmingham Assay Office’s Analytical Testing Laboratory can support you with independent consumer product safety testing, regulatory compliance, and due diligence services.
to discuss analytical testing and compliance support for importers and distributors.
Why choose Birmingham Assay Office?
- Trusted Authority – Over 250 years protecting consumers and markets
- UKAS-Accredited Laboratory – Independent, impartial analytical testing
- Importer-Focused – Experience supporting high-risk supply chains
- Independent & Impartial – No involvement in manufacturing or retail
- UK-Based Governance – Trusted by regulators, enforcement bodies, and industry with Global Reach
“Birmingham Assay Office’s independent testing and clear reporting gave us the confidence we needed to supply UK retailers. Their expertise was invaluable in demonstrating due diligence.“
Representative from
Global Jewellery Retailer
Contact us
Birmingham Assay office
0121 820 0773
Address
1 Moreton St, Birmingham, B1 3AX