Overview
ISO 20245:2017 - Cross-border trade of second-hand goods - establishes minimum screening criteria for second‑hand consumer goods that are traded, sold, donated or exchanged across at least one international border. The standard is focused on protecting consumer health, safety and the environment where second‑hand goods are used. ISO 20245:2017 applies to items that have been in service (leased, loaned or owned) and are re‑entered into a market for a second user; it does not cover remanufactured, rebuilt or refurbished products.
Key topics and requirements
ISO 20245:2017 defines practical, measurable evaluation and acceptance steps for cross‑border trade in second‑hand goods:
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Basic principles
- Second‑hand goods should not pose greater health, safety or environmental risks than comparable new goods.
- Products should meet reasonable consumer expectations for quality and durability.
- Goods should not create immediate waste‑management burdens.
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Evaluation requirements (acceptance criteria)
- Safety: instructions, warnings, conformity with relevant safety standards, life expectancy/expiry.
- Quality: verification of condition, written descriptions, fitness for intended use.
- Product information: language of destination, features/functions, assembly/maintenance/disposal instructions, traceability (model, supplier/manufacturer identity).
- Usage requirements: intended marketplace, climate, user profile, transport and storage considerations.
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Determination of conformity
- Evidence from suppliers (test reports, conformity assessments, health declarations).
- Visual inspection, sampling, auditing of documentation and supplier history.
- Right of importer/consignee to verify and require corrective action for non‑conforming goods.
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Classification of condition
- Products classified into categories (e.g., A = very good) based on primary and secondary features, documentation availability and operational condition.
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Additional requirements
- Technical, health & safety, environmental requirements and provisions for market surveillance and sample checklists for exporters/importers (Annex A).
Applications / Who uses this standard
ISO 20245:2017 is practical for:
- Exporters, importers and consignors of second‑hand consumer goods
- Customs authorities and port/entry inspectors performing in‑transit screening
- NGOs, donors and agencies coordinating cross‑border donations
- Retailers, marketplaces and logistics operators handling used goods
- National regulators creating import/export guidance or market surveillance procedures
Use ISO 20245:2017 to design acceptance criteria, inspection checklists, supplier documentation requirements and risk‑based screening procedures for second‑hand goods.
Related standards
- ISO 10377 (Consumer product safety guidance)
- ISO 10393 (Consumer product traceability / inspection - referenced contextually)
- ISO 12931 (Performance criteria for authentication solutions)