European buyers will ask for RoHS and REACH declarations before they place an order. RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and forms part of CE marking. REACH governs chemicals in almost every product, from textiles and footwear to plastics, electronics and packaging. Global Approbation helps Indian manufacturers test, collect supplier data and issue declarations that stand up to EU audits.
RoHS vs REACH at a Glance
| RoHS: legal basis | Directive 2011/65/EU as amended by (EU) 2015/863. Part of CE marking for electrical and electronic equipment |
|---|---|
| RoHS: restricted substances | Lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP (0.1% by weight in homogeneous material) and cadmium (0.01%), subject to listed exemptions |
| REACH: legal basis | Regulation (EC) 1907/2006. Applies to substances, mixtures and articles placed on the EU market |
| REACH: key duties for articles | Annex XVII restrictions (e.g. PAHs, phthalates, nickel release, azo dyes) · Candidate-List SVHC above 0.1% w/w triggers Article 33 communication · SCIP database notification under the Waste Framework Directive |
| REACH: registration | Substances manufactured or imported at 1 tonne or more per year need registration. Non-EU manufacturers can appoint an Only Representative (Art. 8) |
Who Needs It
- Electrical & electronic equipment makers (RoHS + REACH)
- Cable, wire and component suppliers
- Textile, garment and footwear exporters
- Plastic, rubber and polymer product makers
- Chemical, dye and pigment exporters
- Toy, jewellery and consumer-goods exporters
- Leather goods and furniture manufacturers
- Packaging manufacturers
How Global Approbation Handles RoHS & REACH
- Material breakdown. Product split into homogeneous materials and components; high-risk parts identified.
- Supplier data. Material declarations and existing test reports collected from your supply chain.
- Testing. XRF screening and wet-chemistry testing at accredited labs where data is missing or risky.
- SVHC screening. Checked against the latest ECHA Candidate List and Annex XVII restrictions.
- Declarations & notifications. RoHS DoC / technical documentation, REACH declaration, Article 33 information and SCIP notification support.
RoHS & REACH: Frequently Asked Questions
Is RoHS the same as REACH?
No. RoHS restricts 10 specific substances in electrical and electronic equipment and is part of CE marking. REACH is a much broader chemicals regulation covering all substances, mixtures and articles, including the SVHC Candidate List, which ECHA updates regularly.
How often do I need to update my REACH declaration?
ECHA typically updates the Candidate List twice a year. Declarations should state the Candidate List version checked and be reviewed after each update, especially for articles with plastics, coatings or rubber.
Does India’s own RoHS (E-Waste Rules) compliance cover EU RoHS?
The substance limits in India’s E-Waste (Management) Rules largely mirror EU RoHS, so data from your Indian compliance is very useful. But EU documentation, exemptions and CE requirements must be met separately.
Do Indian exporters need REACH registration?
Only if you export chemical substances (on their own or in mixtures) at 1 tonne or more per year. Article exporters usually need SVHC communication and restriction compliance, not registration. Chemical exporters can register through an EU Only Representative so that EU importers don’t have to.
Regulations, standards and deadlines change. Scope, testing route and timelines are confirmed product by product after our applicability review. Global Approbation is a consultancy and does not itself issue certificates; approvals are granted by the relevant authority, accredited laboratory, certification body or notified body.