Practitioners in electronics field all know ROHS and REACH. However, people may have a confusion about difference between ROHS and REACH. There are always some questions, "Doesn't REACH include ROHS?", "Why do I need a ROHS report if I have a REACH report?" So, what is the truth? Let's talk about these two certifications. We have everything you need to know.

1. What Are ROHS and REACH

RoHS refers to the abbreviation of "Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical And Electronic Equipment". What exactly is it? From July 1, 2006, six harmful substances, lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), are restricted used in electronic equipment.

On June 4, 2015, the Official Journal of the European Union (OJ) issued the RoHS2.0 Amendment Directive (EU) 2015/863, which officially included DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP in Appendix II. So far, Appendix II has ten compulsory control substances.

After the release of this revised directive, all member states of the European Union need to convert this directive into national regulations and implement them before December 31, 2016. And from July 22, 2019, all electronic and electrical products (except medical and monitoring equipment) exported to Europe must meet the restriction requirements.

From July 22, 2021, medical equipment (vitro medical devices are also included) and monitoring equipment (including industrial Monitoring equipment) will also be brought in the control scope.

REACH is the abbreviation of REGULATION Concerning The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals. It was established by the European Union. This chemical regulatory system came into effect on June 1, 2007.

On June 15, 2015, the European Union ECHA officially announced the latest SVHC list, and added di(C6-C6) alkyl phthalates and carrageenal. As a result, the EU REACH regulation authorized substance candidate list, which included a total of 163 Item SVHC.

JRPanel products meet both ROHS and REACH. We have gained reputation from global customers.

2. Difference between ROHS And REACH

2.1 Applicable Scope

RoHS is a directive, and REACH is a regulation. The directive has no legal effect. and the EU member states must further convert their national laws to give it legal effect. The regulations has legal effect. REACH is a frame, and ROHS is a specific instruction.

Both ROHS and REACH SVHC are mandatory. However, the number of hazardous substances restricted by the two is different. The RoHS is an industry-specific directive that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

The REACH is about registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals affect. Almost all products including electrical and electronic products are involved.

In addition, the two do not affect each other. Where overlapping requirements arise, the more stringent requirement shall apply. During the regular review of the RoHS, the EU Environment Committee analyzes its consistency with REACH, and ensures the consistency between RoHS and REACH.

2.2 Management Objects

RoHS is mainly aimed at the management of finished products. It requires that the materials in use are safe and the environmental pollution can be controlled. REACH is mainly aimed at the management of chemicals. It requires that the chemical substances in use are safe and controllable.

The management goal of RoHS is to reduce the accumulation of hazardous substances contained in electrical and electronic products in the environment after they are discarded. Therefore, it is required to prohibit the use of hazardous substances in homogeneous materials that make up electrical and electronic products.

The regulatory goal of REACH is chemical substances. It reduces the risks of chemical substances to humans and the environment throughout their life cycle. Things controlled by RoHS must be within the scope of REACH.

REACH controls substances, preparations and articles.

Substance is chemical elements and their compounds in the natural state (existing). It obtains additives necessary to maintain the stability and impurities produced during processing. However, it excludes substances that don't affect stability or separable solvents that do not change their composition. For example: metal copper, sodium sulfate, phenol, ethanol, etc.

Preparation is mixture or solution consisting of two or more substances. The mixture is artificially mixed by the producer according to a certain ratio. Such as alloys, shoe polish, detergent, etc.

Article is the thing that acquires some shape, appearance or design during manufacture. For example: toys, textiles, furniture, cars, electrical appliances, etc.

RoHS controls the electronic and electrical products listed in the catalog below AC1000V and DC1500V.

ROHS and REACH are two independent directives and regulations. ,  EU Environment Committee analyzes its consistency with the REACH during the regular review of the RoHS. It ensures the consistency between these two. You know the connecting part of the two due to this.