We can gain a sense of the EU’s overall ambition, attention to detail and commitment to transparency by looking at two of its most substantial pieces of product legislation:
The RoHS is a directive regulating the manufacture, import and distribution of Electronics and Electrical Equipment (EEE) within the EU, which bans from use 6 different hazardous materials (to date).
The first RoHS iteration (RoHS 1) hit the market on July 1, 2006 with a list of 6 chemicals (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls, and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether). The content of these chemicals in any “homogeneous” material -- meaning any single substance such as plastic -- cannot exceed 0.1% or 1000 parts per million, with the exception of Cadmium, where the threshold is even lower, at0.01% or 100 ppm.
For RoHS 1 compliance, a company was required to maintain and keep records of compliance, using this iconic green check on all EEE products cleared for market.
RoHS 2, which took effect on January 2, 2013, expanded the scope of the directive to more products, like electric cables and spare parts, and stepped up documentation requirements for thoroughness and frequency of updates.
Additionally, RoHS 2 requires compliance recordkeeping from everyone in the supply chain and not just from the company selling the finished product.
For compliance labelling, the Green Check was replaced with the more uniform CE "Conformité Européene" marking.
Since RoHS 1, four additional chemicals -- specifically, 4 types of phthalates -- have been added to the list. The change took full effect on July 22, 2019. ROHS Phthalate shall not be applied to toys which are already subject to the restriction of REACH.
REACH Compliance is broader in scope (the broadest, really) and takes a different approach to regulation and documentation.
REACH applies to basically every product manufactured, imported or sold within the EU. In a way, REACH is a way for the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) to collect information about virtually every chemical substance used for day-to-day and industrial products.
REACH deals more in the regulation of chemical substances, particularly those known as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). Substances considered carcinogenic, mutagenic, toxic for reproduction, or bioaccumulative fall under SVHC criteria.
EU manufacturers and importers are required to register all substances produced above a set yearly volume to:
The SVHC list continue to grow every year. To view the most updated list, please click here.
Today’s changing market is following a more conscientious path to material production. What goes into each product is just as important as how it turns out. People are concerned about their family’s health, safe labor practices, and the environment. The European Union has established itself as a leader in safe production legislation, and it is reverberating throughout the world.
QIMA will help you stay connected with this new market with quality assurance and top-tier lab testing.
Our online platform and mobile application make it easy for you to schedule RoHS and REACH Compliance tests and receive your results at any time. Book new tests, view pending orders, and access results from your mobile device. Our online platform provides valuable supply chain insights, including a summary of your QC activity, all of your supplier’s quality stats, industry benchmarking data, and more.
Get Started: Login or Create Your Account
Thank you - your inquiry has been sent.
We will come back to you shortly.
Back
Need a quote for product inspections, supplier audits, laboratory testing or certification services?
Get StartedThis site is protected by copyright and trademark laws under US and international law. |
QIMA © 2022 |
ClientID:; Client:; Affiliate:;
|