RoHS
EU directive restricting hazardous substances in EEE
REACH
EU regulation for chemical registration, evaluation, authorisation, restriction.
Quick Verdict
RoHS restricts 10 hazardous substances in EEE for EU market access, while REACH mandates registration and risk assessment of all chemicals over 1tpa. Companies adopt both for legal compliance, supply chain control, and safer product design.
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)
Key Features
- Homogeneous material limits 0.1% for most substances
- Restricts ten specific hazardous substances in EEE
- Open scope all EEE unless explicitly excluded
- Time-limited exemptions via delegated directives
- Requires technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity
REACH
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
Key Features
- Industry responsibility for chemical safety data generation
- Registration dossiers required above 1 tonne/year
- Authorisation regime for SVHCs via Annex XIV
- EU-wide restrictions in Annex XVII
- Supply chain SDS and SVHC communication duties
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
RoHS Details
What It Is
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) is an EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It aims to protect health and environment by limiting risks in EEE waste management, using a homogeneous material approach with maximum concentration values (MCVs): 0.1% for most substances, 0.01% for cadmium.
Key Components
- Restricts ten substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).
- Annex I categories for EEE scope; exclusions in Article 2(4).
- Time-limited exemptions in Annexes III/IV.
- Compliance via technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE marking; supported by IEC 63000 and IEC 62321 testing.
Why Organizations Use It
Ensures EU/EEA market access; mitigates fines, recalls, liabilities. Drives supply chain governance, substitution innovation, recyclability with WEEE. Builds stakeholder trust, ESG advantages.
Implementation Overview
Risk-based: scope analysis, BoM review, supplier declarations, tiered testing (XRF screening, ICP-MS/GC-MS confirmation), exemption tracking. Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE; 6-18 months typical; 10-year documentation retention for audits.
REACH Details
What It Is
REACH (Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006) is a directly applicable EU regulation on 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 articles; approach is risk-based with tonnage-triggered obligations.
Key Components
- Four pillars: Registration (>1 tonne/year dossiers), Evaluation (dossier/substance checks), Authorisation (SVHC Annex XIV permissions), 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 inspections/penalties.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal requirement for EU market access.
- Mitigates fines, market bans, recalls.
- Enhances supply chain transparency, innovation via substitution.
- Builds stakeholder trust, ESG alignment.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: governance, inventory, gap analysis, dossiers, monitoring.
- Applies to manufacturers/importers/downstream users in chemicals/products.
- EU/EEA geography; audit via national authorities.
Key Differences
| Aspect | RoHS | REACH |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Hazardous substances in EEE materials | All chemicals lifecycle and risks |
| Industry | EEE manufacturers EU/EEA | All chemical users EU/EEA |
| Nature | Mandatory product restriction directive | Mandatory registration/evaluation regulation |
| Testing | XRF/ICP-MS on homogeneous materials | Hazard/exposure assessments per tonnage |
| Penalties | National fines/recalls decentralized | National fines up to €10M/2% turnover |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RoHS and REACH
RoHS FAQ
REACH FAQ
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