COPPA
U.S. regulation requiring parental consent for children's online data
REACH
EU regulation for chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction
Quick Verdict
COPPA protects children's online privacy under 13 via parental consent, while REACH mandates chemical risk management through registration and restrictions. Companies adopt COPPA for US child-directed services to avoid massive FTC fines; REACH for EU market access to prevent market bans.
COPPA
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)
Key Features
- Mandates verifiable parental consent before data collection
- Protects children under 13 from online tracking
- Expansive PII definition includes device IDs, geolocation
- Imposes up to $43,792 civil penalties per violation
- Applies extraterritorially to U.S.-targeting services globally
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
Key Features
- Registration required for substances over 1 tonne/year
- Authorisation for SVHCs with sunset dates
- Restrictions via Annex XVII for unacceptable risks
- Supply chain SDS and SVHC communication duties
- Industry-led chemical safety assessments and dossiers
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
COPPA Details
What It Is
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) is a U.S. federal regulation enacted in 1998, effective 2000, enforced by the FTC. It targets operators of commercial websites, apps, and services collecting data from children under 13, mandating verifiable parental consent (VPC). Scope includes child-directed content or known child users; approach emphasizes parental control and data minimization.
Key Components
- Core obligations: privacy notices, VPC mechanisms (11+ methods like credit cards), parental access/review/deletion rights, data security.
- Expansive PII (10+ categories: names, geolocation, persistent IDs, audio/video).
- Built on principles of limited collection and safe harbors (e.g., ESRB, iKeepSafe).
- No formal certification; compliance via self-regulation or FTC audits.
Why Organizations Use It
Legal mandate avoids $43,792/violation penalties (e.g., YouTube's $170M fine). Reduces breach risks, builds parental trust, enables global operations targeting U.S. kids. Enhances reputation in edtech, gaming; mitigates enforcement by FTC/state AGs.
Implementation Overview
Assess child-directed status, deploy age gates/VPC, post policies, minimize data. Applies to all sizes/industries collecting kids' data, U.S./global. Key activities: audits, third-party reviews, ongoing monitoring. No certification but safe harbor participation recommended. (178 words)
REACH Details
What It Is
REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation governing the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Its primary purpose is to ensure a high level of protection for human health and the environment from chemical risks by shifting responsibility to industry for generating and managing safety data. Scope covers substances, mixtures, and certain articles across the supply chain; it uses a risk-based approach with tonnage-triggered obligations.
Key Components
- Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year dossiers), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (SVHCs on Annex XIV), Restriction (Annex XVII bans/limits).
- 17 technical annexes define data requirements, SDS rules, lists.
- Built on industry-led data generation, ECHA coordination, national enforcement.
- Continuous compliance model, no certification but mandatory registration.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal obligation for EU manufacturers/importers to avoid market bans, fines.
- Manages supply chain risks, ensures market access.
- Drives substitution, innovation; builds stakeholder trust via transparency.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: gap analysis, inventory, dossiers, monitoring.
- Applies to chemical/product firms EU-wide; complex for globals.
- No certification; ECHA submissions, national audits required. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | COPPA | REACH |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Children's online personal data collection under 13 | Chemical substances registration, risks, restrictions EU-wide |
| Industry | Online services, apps, websites targeting children globally | Chemicals, manufacturing, importers across all sectors EU/EEA |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal law enforced by FTC | Mandatory EU regulation enforced by ECHA/Member States |
| Testing | Parental consent verification, age screening, data security | Hazard testing, chemical safety assessments by tonnage bands |
| Penalties | $43,792 per violation, e.g. YouTube $170M fine | Effective, proportionate dissuasive fines by Member States |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about COPPA and REACH
COPPA FAQ
REACH FAQ
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