What Is The Difference Between REACH and RoHS?
The EU REACH regulation and the EU RoHS Directive both aim to reduce and limit substances that may be considered harmful to humans and the environment, but there are some key differences.
REACH | RoHS | |
Scope | A horizontal framework, applicable to all parts and products sold in the EU, with some exemptions, such as radioactive materials. | A vertical sector-specific law that focuses on all electronic and electrical equipment, with a small list of specific exclusions, such as the means of transport and equipment used solely for national security purposes. |
Substances | Requires written disclosure of all SVHCs (currently a list numbering 209) in products and packaging. | Restricts the concentration of 10 specific substances in EEE products. |
Evaluation | Evaluated at the article level. | Evaluated at the homogenous material level. |
Legal | Is a regulation, which is legally-binding across all EU member states. | Is a directive, which means each member state must put it into national law, but it must have the same impact and effect across all territories. |
There is some overlap between the two pieces of legislation. When substances already included in the RoHS directive are added to the REACH SVHC candidate list, enforcement agencies will strive to ensure that there is no conflict between requirements and that control measures are consistent. It is generally agreed that RoHS should be given priority in order to regulate all issues related to the use of substances in EEE.
Unfortunately, another thing THAT REACH and RoHS have in common is the risk associated with non-compliance. Failure to comply with any of these laws can result in reputational damage, loss of market access, product recalls, lost revenue and/or fines.
Wrong cognition of RoHS and reach
A common misconception is that both RoHS and reach apply only to electronic products themselves.
Although the purpose of RoHS is indeed to solve the growing waste generated by electronic equipment and electronic industry, it is not limited to electronic products. Materials such as paints and pigments, PVC (vinyl) cables, glass in TV and photographic products and various metal parts in electronic products shall also meet ROHS requirements. The existence of six hazardous substances determines the compliance of RoHS.
Some projects may not have been evaluated by RoHS and reach. These include non parts, such as digital files (code, artwork, text, images, etc.) and spaces (for example, reserve space in CAD models for cable input).
To sell products in the European Union, China, South Korea, the United States and some parts of Canada, they must comply with RoHS and reach requirements. It is important to know which suppliers comply with the regulations. Ensure that you and your suppliers are aware of regulations and that all components are documented.
Summary: RoHS and reach are two different environmental protection regulations of the European Union, and their testing items, contents and methods are different! In addition, reach requires notification and registration (rarely required), while RoHS does not. RoHS and reach are mandatory in the EU. Relevant products sold to the EU need to meet both RoHS and reach regulations.