Your Onboarding Checklist: What You'll Need to Provide
What this is: Sell in Europe runs a software-based onboarding: you upload documents and complete structured questionnaires on our platform. We do not replace your customs broker, lawyer, or certification body—we help you organise evidence and see gaps against common EU buyer and border expectations.
As you move through onboarding, we’ll ask you to gather and provide documentation across several areas. Here’s everything you’ll typically need to prepare.
Company Information
These are basic details about your business:
- Company registration documents (legal name, registration number)
- Facility licenses and permits (proof you're allowed to operate)
- Signed Code of Conduct
- Key contacts (compliance person, technical person, who we should call in emergencies)
Certifications You May Have
If you have these, send them. If not, don't worry—we'll work with you.
- Quality management (ISO 9001)
- Environmental management (ISO 14001)
- Worker welfare audit (SA8000, SMETA, BSCI, or similar)
- Organic certification (GOTS, OEKO-TEX)
- Recycled content (GRS, Textile Exchange)
- Forest management (FSC, PEFC)
Materials & Traceability
This is about knowing where everything comes from:
- Where your fibres are sourced (supplier declarations)
- Complete list of suppliers at each stage (spinning, dyeing, finishing, sewing, etc.)
- Proof of recycled content (if you use it)
- Certificates for wood-based fibres (FSC/PEFC)
- Documentation on natural rubber origin (if applicable)
- Map showing how materials flow through your facility
Chemical Safety (REACH)
We need to verify your products don't contain banned chemicals:
- Azo dye test reports (dark colours especially)
- Formaldehyde test reports (for all textiles)
- Heavy metals test reports (lead, cadmium, chromium)
- Phthalate test reports (especially if you make children's clothing)
- Nickel release test reports (if you use metal zips, buttons, hardware)
- Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) declaration
- Biocide treatment declaration (if you use antimicrobial or anti-odour finishes)
- All test reports from accredited labs (within the last 12 months)
- Tests follow EU standards (ISO or EN methods)
Environmental & Social Data
This helps us understand your environmental and labour practices:
- Energy consumption per kilogram of product (kWh/kg)
- Percentage of renewable energy you use
- Water consumption per kilogram of product
- How you treat wastewater (treatment method)
- Your carbon emissions (Scope 1 & 2)
- Waste management plan (where waste goes, recycling rate)
- Deforestation-free declaration (for wood-based fibres)
- Chemical inventory for your dye house and finishing facilities
- Worker welfare documentation (safety records, working hours, grievance process)
Your Products
For each product you want to supply, we need:
- Exact fibre composition (lab test showing percentages within ±2%)
- Permanent, legible labels (with fibre content, origin, care instructions)
- Care labelling in the right language
- Animal-derived materials disclosure (if any: wool, silk, down, fur, leather)
- No false or misleading sustainability claims
- Packaging information (what it's made of, no banned substances)
- Known allergen declarations (latex, nickel, etc.)
Digital Product Passport (DPP) Readiness
We're asking you to start gathering this data now, even though the DPP requirement doesn't kick in until 2027–2028:
- Exact fibre composition (to 1% precision)
- Recycled content proof (if you use it)
- Banned chemicals disclosure
- Supply chain mapping (Tier 1–3 suppliers identified)
- Environmental impact data (energy, water, carbon, waste)
- Durability/repairability info (how long the product lasts)
- Care and maintenance instructions
- End-of-life guidance (how to recycle or reuse)
Remember:
You don't need to have everything perfect right away. But be honest about what you have and what you don't. We'll work with you to gather what's missing.