REACH vs RoHS

If you buy or design-in electronic components, you’ll often see two EU compliance terms on datasheets and declarations: REACH and RoHS. They sound similar, but they manage chemical risk in different ways, and both can affect availability, documentation, and where you can sell finished equipment.

REACH

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is the EU’s overarching chemicals regulation. It applies far beyond electronics: to substances used in manufacturing and to chemicals present in finished “articles”. For component users, a key point is the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). If an article contains an SVHC above 0.1% by weight, suppliers must pass on information to allow safe use and must respond to consumer requests within 45 days.

RoHS

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is specifically for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It limits 10 substances, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, certain brominated flame retardants, and four phthalates, to maximum concentrations in homogeneous materials (for example, solder, plating, cable insulation, or a plastic housing). In practice, RoHS helps reduce hazardous content in products and simplifies recycling and end‑of‑life treatment.

Why this matters to purchasing and buyers

RoHS is usually a “pass/fail” substance limit for the parts and materials in EEE, while REACH is broader and often drives reporting, change control, and supply‑chain transparency. For buyers and engineers, asking for both RoHS and REACH declarations reduces the risk of last‑minute redesigns, blocked shipments, or missing compliance evidence when you place a product on the EU market.

As a matter of good practice, keep declarations with your bill of materials, confirm any exemptions that apply, and monitor SVHC Candidate List updates, as these can create new REACH communication obligations even where a part remains RoHS compliant.

Aerco can help by supporting requests for RoHS/REACH declarations, flagging relevant material/compliance changes, and helping you identify suitable compliant alternatives when supply chains shift.

For more information on REACH and RoHS

☎️ Call Aerco on +44 1403 260206