When it comes to specifying flooring and matting solutions for fast food restaurants, gyms, commercial kitchens, cold rooms, and other high-traffic environments, safety and compliance are non-negotiable.
Yet, many businesses unknowingly purchase matting that fails to meet current REACH compliance standards or includes SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) putting staff, customers, and their brand reputation at risk.
At Excel Matting, we believe that asking the right questions during procurement is key to safeguarding your business. Here are 5 critical questions you must ask your matting supplier to ensure you're getting products that are safe, compliant, and built to last.
1. Are Your Matting Products Certified SVHC-Free and REACH Compliant?
The REACH Regulation is a mandatory EU and UK framework that governs the use of chemical substances in products, including those used in plastic matting for commercial environments. Central to this is the SVHC list, which flags harmful chemicals that can pose serious health risks.
You must ensure that every matting product installed in your restaurant entrances, gym changing areas, kitchen floors, cold storage rooms, or retail spaces is certified SVHC-free. Products containing restricted phthalates, heavy metals, or other listed substances could lead to compliance violations, legal fines, or health hazards.
At Excel Matting, every product we supply is SVHC-free and REACH-compliant, giving you complete peace of mind for any commercial application.
2. Can You Provide Full Documentation of Material Composition and Compliance?
In today’s compliance-focused world, “trust us” is not enough.
Always request comprehensive documentation detailing:
Material composition of the matting.
SVHC-free declarations.
Proof of REACH compliance.
Any applicable safety test reports (e.g., slip resistance ratings).
This is particularly important for businesses operating in regulated sectors like food service, leisure facilities, and retail environments where compliance documentation might be requested during audits or health & safety inspections.
Excel Matting maintains a transparent supply chain, providing full documentation for every product, ensuring you’re covered for any compliance checks.
3. How Do You Ensure Ongoing Compliance with Updated Regulations?
The SVHC REACH list is continuously updated, with new substances added as scientific research identifies emerging risks. A supplier that was compliant two years ago might no longer meet today's standards.
For fast food chains, gym operators, and facilities managers, using a supplier who actively monitors regulatory updates is critical. Without ongoing compliance checks, you could inadvertently install non-compliant materials in new builds or refurbishments.
Excel Matting follows a proactive compliance process, ensuring that every product we offer is regularly reviewed and updated to meet the latest REACH and SVHC standards.
4. Are Your Products Tested for Safety in High-Footfall and Wet Environments?
Compliance isn’t just about chemicals, it’s also about physical safety. For businesses managing busy restaurant entrances, wet leisure areas, gym changing rooms, cold stores, or commercial kitchens, matting needs to be tested for:
- Slip resistance
- Drainage capabilities in wet zones
- Durability under high footfall and heavy loads
- Hygiene properties (easy to clean, anti-bacterial surfaces)
Poor-quality matting that fails to perform in these environments can result in accidents, injuries, and increased liabilities for your business.
Excel Matting’s solutions are rigorously tested to ensure superior performance in wet, cold, and high-traffic environments. From anti-fatigue kitchen mats to heavy-duty entrance systems, safety is at the core of our product design.
5. Do You Support Specification Needs (e.g., NBS Classification)?
If you’re working with architects, contractors, or procurement teams on a larger project, correct specification is key. Products should align with NBS classifications to simplify documentation and approvals.
For example, Excel Matting products can be specified under Pr_35_57_11_26 – Surface Matting Systems, ensuring clarity and compliance during the tendering and approval processes.
Whether you’re fitting out a national fast-food chain, updating leisure centre flooring, or standardising matting across multiple cold storage facilities, our team can assist with tailored specifications to streamline your project workflow.
Why These Questions Matter to Your Business
Whether you're a franchise owner, a facilities manager, or part of a procurement team, asking these five questions helps:
Reduce compliance risks and avoid costly regulatory penalties.
Ensure the safety of employees and customers in demanding environments.
Protect your brand from reputational damage.
Make informed purchasing decisions that deliver long-term value and durability.
Align your business with modern sustainability and ESG goals.
In industries like food service, retail, leisure, and warehousing, cutting corners on matting quality or compliance can lead to serious consequences. By partnering with a trusted, transparent supplier, you safeguard your operations and reputation.
Excel Matting: Your Partner in Safe, Compliant, and Durable Flooring Solutions
At Excel Matting, we don’t just sell mats: we provide reliable, SVHC-free, REACH-compliant solutions tailored for fast food restaurants, commercial kitchens, gyms, cold storage rooms, retail stores, and leisure centres.
Our team offers:
Product certifications and compliance documentation.
Support with project specifications (NBS classifications).
Durable, high-performance matting designed for wet and heavy-traffic environments.
Expertise to guide you through complex compliance requirements.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Before you place your next matting order, take a moment to ask these five questions. It’s a simple step that can protect your business from unnecessary risks and help you build a safer, more compliant environment for your staff and customers.
Get in touch with Excel Matting today for a free consultation on product compliance, documentation, and specification support.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for our next article, where we’ll explain “What is the SVHC REACH List, and Why It Matters for Your Matting Solutions?”, a must-read for any business concerned with safety, compliance, and sustainability.
Phil from Excel Matting,
6th August 2025
