RoHS vs REACH
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) are two key EU regulations. They have different scopes and approaches. This guide helps you understand the differences and ensure compliance.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Option A | Option B |
|---|---|---|
| Issuing body | EU Directive 2011/65/EU | EU Regulation 1907/2006 |
| Scope | Electrical/electronic products | All chemicals manufactured/imported in EU |
| Approach | Restricts specific substances in products | Requires registration of all substances |
| Number of restricted substances | 10 (RoHS 3, 2015/863) | Hundreds on candidate list (SVHC) |
| Restricted substances | Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr6+, PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP | Various (CMR, PBT, vPvB, equivalent concern) |
| Maximum concentration | 0.1% by weight (Cd: 0.01%) | Variable (case-by-case) |
| Applies to | Products placed on EU market | Substances manufactured/imported in EU |
| Documentation | Material declarations, test reports, DoC | Safety data sheets (SDS), registration dossiers |
| Testing required | Yes (XRF or ICP) | No testing (self-declared registration) |
| Cost of compliance | $500-5,000 per product | $1,000-50,000+ per substance (registration) |
| Penalties | Up to 200,000 EUR + product bans | Up to 1M EUR + market withdrawal |
| Equivalent in other regions | China RoHS, Korea RoHS, Japan J-MOSS, CA Prop 65 | TSCA (USA), K-REACH (Korea), China REACH |
Our Verdict
Both RoHS and REACH apply to products sold in the EU. For plastic cases, RoHS is the primary compliance requirement. REACH is for substances, not finished products (mostly handled by material suppliers). For OEM/ODM, we provide full RoHS compliance package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need both RoHS and REACH for plastic cases?
RoHS is required for any electronic or electric product (including those with electronic latches, locks, or sensors). For pure plastic cases, RoHS is not strictly required, but most B2B buyers require it. REACH is for substances, not finished products - your material suppliers handle REACH.
What is RoHS 3?
RoHS 3 (Directive 2015/863) added 4 phthalates to the original 6 substances: DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP. Total 10 restricted substances. Maximum concentration: 0.1% by weight (1000 ppm), except Cd: 0.01% (100 ppm).
Is RoHS required for non-electronic products?
No. RoHS applies only to electrical/electronic equipment (EEE). For pure plastic cases without electronics, RoHS is voluntary but recommended. Many B2B buyers require RoHS compliance for all components to simplify their supply chain.
What is REACH SVHC?
REACH SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) is the candidate list for authorization. Currently 240+ substances. If your product contains an SVHC above 0.1% (w/w), you must communicate this to downstream users and consumers. We track all SVHCs in our materials.
How do you test RoHS compliance?
XRF (X-ray fluorescence) screening: non-destructive, fast (1-2 min per sample). ICP-OES or ICP-MS: precise, quantitative (1-2 days per sample). We use XRF for production-line screening and ICP for certification testing. Third-party labs (SGS, TUV) certify annually.
What about California's Proposition 65?
California Prop 65 (1986) requires warnings for products containing chemicals known to cause cancer or reproductive harm. The list has 900+ chemicals. For plastic cases, common Prop 65 concerns: lead, cadmium, phthalates, formaldehyde. We offer Prop 65-compliant cases with reduced chemical content.
Need a custom quote?
Contact KeXinMaterials for OEM/ODM case manufacturing. 12h quote, 30-day delivery.