Standards Comparison

    REACH

    Mandatory
    2007

    EU regulation for chemical registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction

    VS

    ISO 28000

    Voluntary
    2022

    International standard for supply chain security management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    REACH mandates chemical risk management for EU market access, requiring registration and restrictions. ISO 28000 provides voluntary security framework for resilient supply chains. Companies adopt REACH for compliance, ISO 28000 for certification and risk reduction.

    Chemical Safety

    REACH

    Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Shifts burden to industry for chemical registration >1 tonne/year
    • Authorisation regime for SVHCs driving substitution post-sunset
    • EU-wide restrictions via Annex XVII for unacceptable risks
    • Dual evaluation by ECHA and Member States
    • Mandatory SVHC communication in articles >0.1% w/w
    Supply Chain Security

    ISO 28000

    ISO 28000:2022 Security management systems Requirements

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Risk-based supply chain security management framework
    • PDCA cycle with ISO High Level Structure alignment
    • Comprehensive third-party and supplier governance
    • Integrated incident response and recovery plans
    • Scalable for all organization sizes and sectors

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    REACH Details

    What It Is

    REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation establishing a comprehensive framework for managing chemical risks. It shifts responsibility to industry for registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals, covering substances, mixtures, and certain articles to protect health and environment while promoting innovation.

    Key Components

    • Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year dossiers), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (Annex XIV SVHCs), Restriction (Annex XVII bans/limits).
    • 17 technical annexes detailing data requirements, SDS rules, exemptions.
    • Built on risk-based assessments, tonnage bands, supply-chain communication.
    • No certification; compliance enforced nationally with ECHA coordination.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Legal obligation for EU market access; avoids fines, seizures, market bans. Enhances risk management, substitution innovation, supply-chain transparency. Builds stakeholder trust, supports ESG, ensures continuity amid evolving lists (Candidate List, Annexes).

    Implementation Overview

    Phased: gap analysis, substance inventory, dossiers via IUCLID/REACH-IT, SDS management, monitoring. Applies to manufacturers/importers/downstream users across sectors; ongoing audits, no central certification but national enforcement readiness essential.

    ISO 28000 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 28000:2022 is an international management system standard titled Security and resilience — Security management systems — Requirements. It provides a risk-based framework for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a security management system (SMS) focused on supply chain protection against threats like theft, sabotage, and disruptions.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10 follow ISO High Level Structure (HLS) and PDCA cycle.
    • Core areas: context analysis, leadership, risk assessment, operations, performance evaluation, improvement.
    • Emphasizes supply chain mapping, third-party controls, incident response.
    • Supports third-party certification via accredited bodies per ISO 28003.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates operational risks, reduces incident costs, enables trade facilitation.
    • Meets contractual/regulatory expectations (e.g., C-TPAT equivalents).
    • Builds stakeholder trust, competitive edge in procurement.
    • Integrates with ISO 27001, ISO 22301 for efficiency.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased approach: gap analysis, risk assessment, control deployment, audits.
    • Scalable for SMEs to multinationals in logistics, manufacturing, etc.
    • Involves training, supplier engagement; certification optional but common.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    REACH
    Chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction
    ISO 28000
    Supply chain security management system

    Industry

    REACH
    Chemicals, manufacturing, importers EU-wide
    ISO 28000
    Logistics, manufacturing, all sectors globally

    Nature

    REACH
    Mandatory EU regulation with penalties
    ISO 28000
    Voluntary ISO certification standard

    Testing

    REACH
    Dossier submission, ECHA evaluation
    ISO 28000
    Internal audits, certification body audits

    Penalties

    REACH
    Fines, market bans by Member States
    ISO 28000
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about REACH and ISO 28000

    REACH FAQ

    ISO 28000 FAQ

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