Product compliance glossary: A-Z of 'must-know' terms

Product compliance glossary

A 

Acute toxicity
Adverse health effects occurring soon after a single or short-term exposure to a substance. Used in hazard classification. 

Adverse effects 

Harmful biological outcomes resulting from chemical exposure, including acute, chronic, reproductive, or systemic impacts. 

Algaecides (subcategory under Biocides)
Chemicals used to kill or prevent algae in water systems and industrial applications. 

Antibacterials (subcategory under Biocides / Antimicrobials)
Agents that inhibit or kill bacteria. Used in cleaning, healthcare, and material preservation. 

Antidotes
Agents that counteract or neutralize the toxic effects of poisons. 

Antifungals (subcategory under Biocides)
Chemicals used to kill or inhibit fungi such as mold and mildew. 

Antimicrobial agents
Substances that kill or inhibit microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and algae. Includes disinfectants, sanitizers, and preservatives. 

Antimicrobials
A broad class of substances intended to control harmful microorganisms. Encompasses antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiparasitic agents. 

Anti-waste and Circular Economy Law (AGEC)
A French legal framework promoting waste reduction, reuse, traceability and transparency across product lifecycles. 

Antivirals (subcategory under Biocides / Antimicrobials)
Substances that deactivate or inhibit viruses on surfaces, materials, or in formulations. 

Apparel
Clothing and textile products for consumer or industrial use. 

Article
Under REACH, an object whose function is determined more by shape / design than chemical composition. 

Asbestos
A group of fibrous silicate minerals used historically for insulation and fire resistance; extremely hazardous when inhaled. 

Assessment body / Notified body (NB)
Accredited organizations authorized to perform conformity assessments for regulated products. 

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Regional bloc of ten Southeast Asian countries harmonizing regulatory and economic practices. 

ASTM International
Organization developing voluntary consensus standards for materials, systems, and products. 

Authorized representative (AR)
A person or entity appointed to act on behalf of a non-EU manufacturer within an EU jurisdiction. 

B 

Bactericides (subcategory under Biocides)
Substances specifically designed to kill bacteria. 

Battery
Device converting chemical energy into electrical energy, regulated for safety, hazardous substances, and end-of-life collection. 

Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
A restricted phthalate linked to reproductive toxicity. 

Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR)
EU regulation governing market approval and use of biocidal products. 

Biocides
Chemical substances or microorganisms used to control harmful organisms.
Subcategories integrated: 

• Bactericides 

• Fungicides 

• Algaecides 

• Virucides 

• Antifungals 

• Antibacterials 

• Antivirals 

• Insecticides 

• Rodenticides 

• Miticides 

• Pest control substances 

• Preservatives 

• Sterilants 

• Sanitizers 

• Disinfectants 

• Decontaminants 

• Chemical disinfectants 

• Microbial control agents 

Biocidal — see Biocides 

Bill of materials (BOM)
Structured list of all components and assemblies within a product. 

Bill of substances (BOS)
Comprehensive list of all chemical substances present in a product, used for compliance and transparency. 

Biomarkers
Biological indicators used to evaluate chemical exposure or toxicological effects. 

Bisphenol A (BPA)
Industrial chemical used in plastics and resins; restricted due to endocrine-disrupting properties. 

Bisphenols
Family of chemicals (for example, BPA, BPS) with varied industrial uses and endocrine-disrupting concerns. 

BOM-level compliance
Compliance approach assessing each BOM line item to determine regulatory conformity. 

Brexit
Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, establishing independent UK regulatory systems. 

C 

Cadmium (Cd)
Toxic heavy metal restricted under multiple regulations. 

Carcinogenicity
The ability of a substance to cause cancer. 

CAS Registry Number (CAS)
Numerical identifier for chemical substances. 

CE marking
EU conformity marking indicating compliance with applicable regulations. 

Certification scheme
Framework of rules and procedures for demonstrating product compliance. 

Chemical assess
Enhesa Product Intelligence tool providing hazard and regulatory evaluations. 

Chemical compliance
A product’s conformity with chemical-related regulatory obligations. 

Chemical disinfection (subcategory under Biocides)
Use of chemical agents to eliminate microorganisms on surfaces or equipment. 

Chemical research
Regulatory research resource within Enhesa Product Intelligence. 

Chemical Watch News & Insight
Global news source covering chemical policy and regulatory developments. 

Children’s Product Certificate (CPC)
US certification confirming compliance of children’s products with CPSC rules. 

Chronic toxicity
Adverse effects caused by long-term exposure to a substance. 

Classification, labeling and packaging (CLP)
EU regulation harmonizing chemical hazard classification and labeling. 

Conflict minerals
Tin, tantalum, tungsten, and gold sourced from conflict regions; regulated for ethical supply chain practices. 

Conformity assessment
Processes verifying compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
US federal agency responsible for consumer product safety. 

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA)
US law regulating children’s product safety, testing and chemical limits. 

Cosmetics
Products applied to the human body for cleaning or altering appearance. 

Corrective action (CA)
Measures taken to address noncompliance. 

Currently unavoidable use (CUU)
Use of a substance that cannot currently be replaced due to societal or technical constraints. 

D 

Decontaminants (subcategory under Biocides)
Agents used to remove or neutralize hazardous contaminants. 

Declaration of conformity (DoC)
Manufacturer statement confirming compliance with legal requirements. 

Digital product passport (DPP)
Proposed EU digital system containing product lifecycle data. 

Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
Widely used but heavily restricted phthalate. 

Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP)
Restricted phthalate linked to reproductive toxicity. 

Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Restricted phthalate with toxicity similar to DEHP / DBP. 

Disinfectants (subcategory under Biocides)
Chemical agents used to destroy harmful microorganisms on surfaces. 

Dose-response relationship
Relationship between chemical dose and magnitude of observed effect. 

Due diligence
Compliance actions such as recordkeeping, testing and supplier verification. 

E 

Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR)
Upcoming EU regulation establishing sustainability requirements for diverse product groups. 

EEE (Electrical and electronic equipment)
Electronic products regulated under RoHS, WEEE and related rules. 

Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
Ability of a product to operate without interference. 

Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
EU directive ensuring EMC performance. 

Enhesa Product Intelligence
Suite of digital tools providing global compliance intelligence. 

Enhesa Sustainable Chemistry
Service offering alternatives assessment and safer chemistry solutions. 

Endocrine disruptor (ED)
Substance interfering with hormonal systems, potentially affecting development, reproduction, or metabolism. 

Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)
Broader category of chemicals exhibiting endocrine-disrupting effects. 

End producer responsibility (EPR)
Lifecycle responsibility including collection, recycling and safe disposal. 

Environmental compliance
Adherence to environmental regulations covering waste, substances and emissions. 

Environmental contaminants
Harmful chemicals found in the environment such as pesticides, heavy metals and POPs. 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
US federal environmental regulator. 

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
EU agency administering REACH, CLP, and BPR. 

European Committee for Standardization (CEN)
Organization creating harmonized standards. 

Extended producer responsibility (EPR)
Policy requiring producers to handle end-of-life waste obligations. 

Exposure assessment
Evaluation of exposure extent, duration, and frequency for human health or environmental risk. 

Ecotoxicology
Study of toxic effects of chemicals on ecosystems. 

F 

Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act)
Primary US law governing food, drugs and cosmetics. 

Federal Hazardous Substances Act (FHSA)
US law addressing labeling and hazards of household substances. 

Flame retardants
Chemicals added to reduce flammability. 

Flame retardant chemicals
Classes of chemicals that inhibit ignition in materials. 

Focused Compliance Solution (FCS)
Customized regulatory support from Enhesa. 

Food contact materials and articles (FCMs)
Materials regulated for chemical migration into food. 

Footwear
Products designed to cover or protect the feet. 

Full material declaration (FMD)
Complete disclosure of all substances in a product. 

Furniture
Products regulated for safety, fire resistance, and chemical content. 

Fungicides (subcategory under Biocides)
Chemicals used to destroy fungi, often used in agriculture and coatings. 

G 

General Certificate of Conformity (GCC)
US certificate for non-children’s products demonstrating compliance. 

General Product Safety Regulation (GPSR)
EU framework requiring safe consumer products. 

Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)
FDA designation for substances historically considered safe in food. 

Genetic toxicity
Ability of a substance to damage genetic material (DNA). 

Globally Harmonized System (GHS)
International framework for hazard classification and labeling. 

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Regional alliance harmonizing standards. 

H 

Halocarbons
Halogen-containing organic compounds affecting climate or ozone. 

Hazard communication
Systems (labels, SDS) informing users of chemical hazards. 

Hazardous substance
Chemicals posing health or environmental risks. 

Heavy metals
Toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, and mercury. 

Hepatotoxicity
Toxicity affecting the liver. 

Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI))
Carcinogenic form of chromium with strict restrictions. 

Homogeneous material
Material that cannot be mechanically separated; important for RoHS. 

Homologation
Approval that a product meets regulatory or technical criteria. 

I 

Immunotoxicity
Toxic effects on the immune system. 

Importer responsibilities
Obligations to verify compliance, labeling, and documentation. 

Inorganics
Non-carbon-based chemicals. 

Insecticides (subcategory under Pesticides / Biocides)
Chemicals used to kill insects. 

Inspection certificate
Official document confirming compliance. 

In vitro toxicity
Toxicity testing conducted outside living organisms. 

In vivo toxicity
Toxicity testing conducted in living organisms. 

J 

Jurisdiction
Geographic or legal area in which laws apply. 

L 

Labeling requirements
Mandatory on-product information such as warnings or conformity marks. 

LD₅₀
Dose lethal to 50% of test organisms; standard acute toxicity metric. 

Lead (Pb)
Restricted heavy metal used historically in paints and electronics. 

LOAEL
Lowest observed adverse effect level. 

Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
EU directive ensuring safety of low-voltage electrical equipment. 

M 

Machinery
Mechanical equipment subject to safety regulation. 

Machinery Directive
EU directive establishing safety requirements for machinery. 

Manufacturer obligations
Legal duties to ensure product compliance. 

Material safety data sheet (MSDS / SDS)
Document providing hazard and safety information on chemicals. 

Maximum tolerated dose
Highest dose producing no unacceptable adverse effects. 

Medical device
Equipment intended for medical purposes. 

Medical Device Regulation (MDR)
EU regulation governing medical device safety. 

Mercury (Hg)
Toxic heavy metal with global restrictions. 

Microbial control (subcategory under Biocides)
Activities or chemicals used to reduce microbial contamination. 

Microplastics
Plastic particles <5 mm, regulated for environmental impact. 

Minamata Convention on Mercury
Global treaty reducing mercury emissions and use. 

Miticides (subcategory under Pesticides / Biocides)
Chemicals used to kill mites. 

Mutagenicity
Ability of a substance to cause genetic mutations. 

N 

Nanomaterials
Materials with nanoscale dimensions (1–100 nm). 

Nephrotoxicity
Toxicity affecting the kidneys. 

Neurotoxicity
Toxic effects on the nervous system. 

NGO (Non-governmental organization)
Independent nonprofit advocacy organizations. 

NOAEL
No observed adverse effect level. 

Nonconformity
Failure to meet regulatory or standard requirements. 

Notified body opinion
Formal document issued by a notified body assessing conformity. 

O 

OEMs (Original equipment manufacturers)
Companies producing components for incorporation into final products. 

P 

Packaging
Materials used to contain goods; regulated for recyclability and chemical limits. 

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
Proposed EU regulation replacing the Packaging Directive. 

Parabens
Preservatives used in cosmetics; some have concerns about endocrine disruption. 

PBT (Persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic)
Hazard classification for high-risk substances. 

Pest control (subcategory under Biocides / Pesticides)
Processes and substances used to control pests. 

Pesticides
Substances used to prevent, kill, or control pests. Includes insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, and herbicides. 

PFHxS
A persistent PFAS chemical subject to restriction. 

PFAS
A family of highly persistent chemicals used in water- and oil-resistant coatings. 

PFOA
Highly persistent and toxic PFAS, widely restricted. 

PFOS
PFAS chemical regulated internationally due to persistence and toxicity. 

Phthalates
Plasticizers restricted for reproductive toxicity. 

PBBs
Brominated flame retardants banned globally. 

PBDEs
Restricted brominated flame retardants. 

POPs (Persistent organic pollutants)
Highly toxic, persistent chemicals that bioaccumulate. 

Poison control
Services providing emergency guidance on toxic exposures. 

Preservatives (subcategory under Biocides)
Substances added to prevent microbial growth or spoilage. 

Producer responsibility
Obligations to manage waste collection and recycling. 

Producer responsibility organization (PRO)
Entities managing EPR obligations on behalf of producers. 

Product stewardship
Lifecycle management approach minimizing environmental and health impacts. 

Product technical file (PTF)
Documentation demonstrating regulatory compliance. 

Prop 65
California regulation requiring warnings for listed toxic chemicals. 

R 

Radio Equipment Directive (RED)
EU directive regulating wireless and radio equipment. 

REACH
EU chemicals regulation covering registration, evaluation, authorization, and restrictions. 

Regulatory database
Enhesa Product Intelligence database of global regulatory requirements. 

Reproductive toxicity
Adverse effects on sexual function, fertility, or development. 

Risk assessment
Evaluation of hazards and exposures. 

Risk management
Process of reducing or controlling identified risks. 

Rodenticides (subcategory under Biocides  / / Pesticides)
Chemicals used to kill rodents. 

S 

Sanitizers (subcategory under Biocides)
Agents that reduce microbial levels to safe thresholds. 

SCIP database
ECHA database tracking substances of concern. 

Short-form warning
Abbreviated Prop 65 warning format. 

Sterilants
Agents that destroy all forms of microbial life, including spores. 

Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR)
Trade bloc harmonizing product regulations. 

Stockholm Convention on POPs
International treaty restricting persistent organic pollutants. 

Substance of concern / SVHC
High-risk substances identified under REACH. 

SVHC packaging
Packaging containing SVHCs above thresholds requiring reporting or communication. 

Supply chain due diligence
Processes ensuring responsible sourcing and compliance. 

Supply chain connect
Enhesa tool for supplier compliance validation. 

Sustainability claims compliance
Ensuring environmental marketing claims are accurate and substantiated. 

T 

Technical documentation
Collection of evidence demonstrating compliance. 

Teratogenicity
Potential of a substance to cause developmental abnormalities. 

Test report
Documented evidence of testing against standards. 

Threshold dose
Minimum dose at which an effect is observed. 

Toxicity
Degree to which a substance can cause harm. 

Toxicity testing
Scientific study of harmful effects of substances. 

Toxicodynamics
How a substance interacts with biological systems. 

Toxicokinetics
How a substance is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. 

Toxicology
Science of harmful chemical effects on living organisms.
Integrated subcategories: 

• Toxicology report 

• Toxicology regulations 

• Toxicology databases 

• Toxicology journals 

• Acute toxicity 

• Chronic toxicity 

• Carcinogenicity 

• Mutagenicity 

• Teratogenicity 

• Neurotoxicity 

• Hepatotoxicity 

• Nephrotoxicity 

• Reproductive toxicity 

• Dose–response relationships 

• LD₅₀, NOAEL, LOAEL 

• Biomarkers 

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
US law regulating chemicals. 

Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH)
US initiative restricting hazardous substances in packaging. 

TotalSDS
Enhesa solution providing SDS and substance data. 

Triman (info-Tri)
French mark indicating that a product must be sorted for recycling. 

Type approval
Pre-market conformity evaluation. 

U 

UK conformity assessed (UKCA) marking
UK marking replacing CE for Great Britain. 

UK and Northern Ireland (UKNI) marking
Marking for products placed on the Northern Ireland market. 

V 

Virucides (subcategory under Biocides)
Chemicals capable of destroying or inactivating viruses. 

W 

WEEE Directive
EU directive governing collection, treatment, and recycling of electronic waste.