In brief
The REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 governs the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances in the European Union.
Contents
What is REACH Regulation?
REACH stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals. Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 requires manufacturers and importers to register substances above certain quantities with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and to assess their risks. Substances of very high concern (SVHC) are included in a Candidate List that is extended regularly; some are subject to authorisation, others to restrictions.
REACH concerns not only chemicals but also articles, i.e. objects such as seals, cables, bearings or electronic assemblies. If an article contains a Candidate List substance in a concentration above 0.1 per cent by weight, suppliers must inform their professional customers under Article 33 and state at least the name of the substance. Additional obligations regarding safety data sheets apply to mixtures and substances.
In spare parts procurement, REACH mainly shows up in requests for SVHC information, in safety data sheets for lubricants and operating materials and in restrictions on certain substances in plastics or coatings. The text of the regulation and the current ECHA lists are authoritative; this entry does not constitute legal advice.
In practice: maintenance and procurement
For spare parts from non-EU countries that you import yourself, record who bears the REACH obligations as importer. For articles, request an up-to-date SVHC declaration, because the Candidate List changes regularly and older declarations are then no longer complete.
Synonyms and abbreviations: REACH · Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 · EU chemicals regulation · SVHC obligations
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between REACH and RoHS?
RoHS restricts certain hazardous substances exclusively in electrical and electronic equipment and is linked to CE marking. REACH is a comprehensive chemicals regulation that applies to substances, mixtures and articles of all kinds and governs registration, information obligations, authorisation and restrictions. An electronic component therefore generally has to comply with both sets of rules.
What is the SVHC Candidate List?
The Candidate List contains substances of very high concern, such as carcinogenic substances or substances toxic to reproduction. It is published by ECHA and supplemented regularly. The inclusion of a substance triggers information obligations in the supply chain and can be a step towards a later authorisation requirement. Companies should therefore always relate their supplier declarations to the current version of the list.
What obligations do distributors have under REACH?
Distributors that pass on articles within the EU must pass on information about SVHC substances contained in them to their professional customers and answer consumer requests if a Candidate List substance is present above the threshold. Anyone who imports goods from non-EU countries themselves also has obligations as an importer. The exact role should be checked in each individual case; this entry does not constitute legal advice.