Your REACH Foam Report Covers a Sample, Not Your Order

STC tested our foam: lead, cadmium, chromium VI and arsenic were not detected, and seven phthalates were not detected. The report covers one sample, not every batch.

Short answer: our cushion foam (style 3230) was tested by STC Guangdong: lead, cadmium, chromium VI and arsenic were not detected, and seven restricted phthalates were not detected. That supports a compliance file, but the report covers one sample. Ask how your production batch is linked to it.
Key takeaways
• Heavy metals tested: lead, cadmium, chromium VI, arsenic — all not detected (EN 16711-2:2015). • Phthalates tested: DBP, BBP, DEHP, DIBP, DNOP, DINP, DIDP — all not detected (ISO 8124-6:2018). • The report is tied to a sample, a laboratory, and a date — not to every future batch. • Foam is one component; cover fabric, thread, zipper, and adhesive have their own requirements. • REACH testing says nothing about density, firmness, compression set, or durability.
How we verified this
This guide is for European bike-brand product managers and sourcing teams preparing a cushion specification or a compliance file. The test data comes from report STC DT26030621 for our white cushion foam, style 3230. We reviewed the report scope, methods, and detection limits. The factory timings are our own standard terms, checked against our order records. We do not claim that one report covers every batch or every cushion we ship.
What the report actually proves
The report answers a narrow question: in the sample submitted, were the listed substances above the laboratory's detection limit?
Two method families were used:
• Extractable heavy metals — lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), chromium VI (Cr VI), and arsenic (As), with reference to EN 16711-2:2015, analysed by ICP-MS and UV-Vis. • Phthalates — DBP, BBP, DEHP, DIBP, DNOP, DINP, and DIDP, by ISO 8124-6:2018 (GC-MS), against the 0.1% limit for the restricted sums.
All four heavy metals were not detected at the report's stated detection limit. All listed phthalates were not detected; both restricted sums are below the 0.1% limit.
That is useful evidence. It is not a certificate for every cushion you will ever buy.
What "not detected" means
"Not detected" means below the method's detection limit for the tested sample. It does not mean zero in every batch. It also does not mean the laboratory tested every colour, every foam density, or every supplier in your chain.
A report can be valid and still not cover your order. The gap is usually traceability, not the test itself.
This matters most for brands selling to children or family cargo bikes. Cushions are the part riders touch, sit on, and sometimes chew. A compliance file that cannot link the test to the production batch is weaker than it looks.
Five checks before you approve a foam
Before you accept a REACH report as evidence for your cushion, ask five questions.
  1. Who holds the report? Is it the foam producer, the bag factory, or a trading company? The holder should match the material you are buying.
  1. What exactly was tested? Look for the sample description, style number, colour, and density. "Foam" is not enough.
  1. Which methods and limits? Confirm the standard and the detection limit. A "pass" with an unstated limit is hard to defend.
  1. When was it tested? Check the report date and whether a newer report exists for the material in your order.
  1. How is your batch linked? Ask how the production batch is tied to the tested sample — batch records, material certificates, or retained samples.
If the answer to the last question is "we will check later", the risk is still yours.
What the report does not cover
A REACH heavy-metal and phthalate report is not a full cushion specification. It does not cover:
• Every batch. A report is tied to a sample; production varies. • The finished cushion. Cover fabric, thread, zipper, and adhesive have their own requirements. • Performance. Density, firmness, compression set, and durability need separate tests. • Other regulations. REACH is not the only file your buyer may request.
That is why we treat the foam report as one document in a file, not as the file itself.
How we handle foam documentation
We have manufactured custom bike bags and fabric accessories for a premium German e-bike brand since 2016. The account grew from 500 units a year to 5,000 units per month.
For cushion projects, we:
• match the foam grade and density to the rider position and use case; • request the test report and check its scope before sampling; • keep the report with the order records; • flag missing documents before production, not after.
Our standard timings are 7–12 days for sampling and 45–55 days for production after sample approval and deposit.
If your buyer needs a specific test or a newer report, say so before sampling. Retesting after production is slower and more expensive than planning for it.
Limitations
• The report covers one sample of foam style 3230; other styles and colours need their own evidence. • Detection limits vary by laboratory and method. • REACH requirements can change; confirm the current requirement with your buyer. • This guide covers foam documentation, not the legal status of your finished product.
FAQ
Does this report mean every cushion batch is compliant?
No. It means the tested sample was below the detection limit for the listed substances. Batch linkage is a separate question.
Is "not detected" the same as zero?
No. It means below the method's detection limit. The limit depends on the laboratory and the method.
Can I use this report for my finished cushion?
Only as part of the file. The finished cushion includes cover fabric, thread, zipper, and adhesive, which have their own requirements.
Do I need a new report for each colour?
Ask your supplier. A new colour or foam grade may require a new sample and a new report.
Can Yagoo provide the foam test report?
We can share the report we hold for the material in your order and explain its scope. Availability depends on the foam grade and the batch.
Specifying cushion foam for an EU brand?
Send your material requirements, target density, and the compliance checklist your buyer uses. We will match the foam, share the documentation we hold, and confirm what needs to be retested before sampling.
See how we control materials and quality: https://colorwaybag.com/bike-materials-and-qc
Read our cushion measurement guide: https://colorwaybag.com/posts/passenger-cushion-fit-matrix
Send your cushion requirements: https://colorwaybag.com/contact-us
References
  1. Yagoo Bag — Materials and Quality Control: https://colorwaybag.com/bike-materials-and-qc
  1. Yagoo Bag — Passenger Cushion Fit Matrix: https://colorwaybag.com/posts/passenger-cushion-fit-matrix
  1. Yagoo Bag — Contact: https://colorwaybag.com/contact-us
  1. ISO — Standards catalogue: https://www.iso.org/standards.html
  1. CEN-CENELEC — Standards: https://standards.cencenelec.eu/