What is REACH compliance and does it apply to my products?

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Sources:EU REACH
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📋 Direct Answer

[Figure withdrawn] Check the official page: https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/understanding-reach. Public compilation, not tax advice.

Check the official page

[Figure withdrawn] Check the official page: https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/understanding-reach. Public compilation, not tax advice.

Check the official page

[Figure withdrawn] Check the official page: https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/understanding-reach. Public compilation, not tax advice.

Check the official page

[Figure withdrawn] Check the official page: https://echa.europa.eu/regulations/reach/understanding-reach. Public compilation, not tax advice.

Check the official page

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) is an EU regulation requiring companies to register chemical substances in their products. If you sell goods containing chemical substances (e.g. cosmetics, textiles, electronics, toys, furniture) to EU consumers, REACH applies. Key requirement: ensure no restricted substances (SVHC list) exceed 0.1% w/w per article. Registration required for substances manufactured/imported above 1 tonne/year. Cost: free check possible; formal registration: -50,000+.

2
Requirements
Free to $50,000+
Est. Total Cost
1-3 months
Timeline

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📝 Step-by-Step Guide

Total 4 steps·Est. 2-6 weeks

Prerequisites

  • Product sold in EU market
  • Chemical composition data from supplier
  1. 1

    Identify substances in your product

    Request material declarations from your supplier. Check against the SVHC Candidate List (updated twice yearly by ECHA).

  2. 2

    Test for restricted substances

    If SVHC content exceeds 0.1% w/w per article, you must notify ECHA and inform customers. Engage an accredited lab for testing.

  3. 3

    Submit SCIP notification

    Register on ECHA's SCIP database and submit safety data for articles containing SVHC above threshold.

  4. 4

    Maintain ongoing compliance

    Monitor SVHC list updates (twice yearly). Update SCIP notifications when new substances are added to the list.

💰 Cost Breakdown

ItemCostFrequency
SVHC testing per product$300-1,500one-time
SCIP database registrationFreeone-time
REACH compliance consultant$2,000-8,000/yearannual
Ongoing substance monitoring(optional)$500-2,000/yearannual
Total Estimate$2,800 – $11,500first year
🚨CRITICAL RISK

REACH applies to virtually all products sold in the EU, not just chemicals

Products containing restricted substances above limits can be banned from EU market; non-registration can result in fines up to €50,000 per substance per year

🛡️ Prevention Steps

  • Screen all products against SVHC Candidate List
  • Request REACH declarations from suppliers
  • Maintain compliance documentation for 10 years

Item by Item

RequiredSVHC Check
Free1-2 weeks
  1. 1Check ECHA's SVHC Candidate List (updated twice per year)
  2. 2Test your products for restricted substances above 0.1% w/w
  3. 3Document compliance for each product/article
If applicableSubstance Registration
€1,000-50,000+1-3 months
  1. 1Register substances with ECHA if >1 tonne/year
  2. 2Submit technical dossier via REACH-IT portal
  3. 3Pay registration fees based on tonnage band

Comparison

REACH (EU) vs RoHS (EU)
Pros
  • REACH covers all chemicals; RoHS covers specific restricted substances in electronics
  • Different compliance paths can be combined
Cons
  • Both apply simultaneously to electronic products
  • Dual compliance increases cost
  • Different reporting requirements
Best ForElectronics sellers must comply with both
Est. CostCombined testing €2,000-8,000

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Common Mistakes

Assuming REACH compliance is a one-time activity

💥 Consequence: SVHC candidate list updates twice yearly; non-compliance discovered during market surveillance leads to fines

Fix: Set up quarterly SVHC list monitoring; subscribe to ECHA updates

Relying solely on supplier's REACH declaration without independent verification

💥 Consequence: Supplier declaration may be outdated or inaccurate; importer bears legal responsibility

Fix: Request recent test reports from accredited labs; verify against current SVHC list

Seller Paths

REACH Registration Path

  1. 1. Determine if you are manufacturer/importer of chemicals >1 ton/year
  2. 2. Identify applicable tonnage band (1-10, 10-100, 100-1000, >1000 tons)
  3. 3. Prepare Chemical Safety Report if >10 tons
  4. 4. Submit registration to ECHA via REACH-IT
  5. 5. Pay registration fees based on tonnage
💰 €1,600-31,000 per substance6-18 months

Next Steps

HighRegister with ECHA if importing/manufacturing >1 ton/year of chemicalsBefore exceeding threshold
HighScreen products against SVHC Candidate ListImmediately
MediumPrepare REACH compliance documentationWithin 30 days

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Sources

  • ECHA REACH regulation
  • ECHA SVHC candidate list

Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Consult a professional for your specific situation.