What is EU Reach Certification?

Introduction to REACH Certification

REACH certification is a European Union regulation on chemical management aimed at protecting human health and the environment from the risks associated with chemicals while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemical industry. The regulation applies to all chemical substances but not to mixtures or finished chemical products. It covers about 30,000 chemical products in the EU market and increases the cost of exporting products to the EU by about 5% and importing products from the EU by about 6%.

To comply with REACH certification requirements, manufacturers need to register their products with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), which involves processes such as application submission, providing product information, sending samples, testing, and issuing reports. If a product contains Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) above 0.1% (w/w), manufacturers must inform downstream users or consumers and fulfill information disclosure obligations. Additionally, if a product contains SVHC above 0.1% (w/w) and the annual export volume exceeds 1 ton, notification to the ECHA is required.

The certification process typically takes about a week, and costs vary depending on the material of the product. REACH certification is voluntary testing in the EU and only involves test reports without certificates. For products exported to the EU, REACH certification is a necessary test to ensure compliance with REACH regulations.

REACH Certification Process

1. Information Consultation: Consultation with REACH certification agency JJRLAB to understand the requirements and specific steps of REACH certification.

2. Product Registration: Submission of product samples, application forms, product specifications, packing lists, pro forma invoices, material inventory forms, etc., to the REACH certification agency to demonstrate compliance with regulations.

3. Product Evaluation: The REACH certification agency evaluates the product to check compliance with regulations and categorizes and labels the product based on the results.

4. Product Authorization: Application for authorization is required if the product contains particularly harmful chemicals.

5. Product Notification: Information on the chemicals involved in the product needs to be notified for effective management and control.

6. Product Compliance Declaration: Manufacturers need to provide REACH declarations or test reports to prove compliance with restrictions on cadmium, nickel, and lead in REACH regulations.

7. Registration Certificate: Upon completion of the above steps, the REACH certification agency issues a registration certificate, proving that the product complies with regulatory requirements and can be freely sold in the EU.

It is important to note that REACH certification costs vary depending on the nature of the product, components, and testing methods. The processing time is approximately one week, and there is no validity period. Specific details need to be consulted with the REACH certification agency or JJRLAB engineers.

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REACH Certification Projects

REACH certification is a specific certification project under EU chemical regulations applicable to all chemicals, aimed at protecting human health and environmental safety. The specific projects of REACH certification include:

1. Registration: Manufacturers and importers need to complete registration to sell chemicals.

2. Assessment: Products need to be evaluated, and their characteristics determined through testing methods that comply with standard specifications.

3. Authorization: Authorization is required for Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and other hazardous substances to be produced and imported.

4. Restrictions: Chemical use and emissions need to be restricted according to EU standards.

5. Data Sharing: Manufacturers and importers are required to share basic information about chemicals.

6. Transitional Period: Chemicals already on the market need to be registered and authorized within a certain period.

REACH Certification Costs

REACH certification costs vary depending on factors such as the nature of the product, components, and testing items. The market price ranges from $500 to $700. Generally, REACH certification costs mainly include sample testing and report fees. The sample testing fee depends on the type of data targeted, such as metal and non-metal materials. The certificate fee is determined by the product category and the number of items to be tested. Additionally, the processing procedures and duration of REACH certification may affect the final certification cost. Typically, the REACH certification process includes application, quotation, payment, testing, report completion, and project completion, with a certification period of about 5 to 7 working days. Specific costs can be obtained by consulting professional REACH certification agencies or JJRLAB engineers.

Scope of REACH Certification

REACH certification applies to all chemicals produced, imported, used, and sold in the EU market. According to regulations, chemicals include mixtures, articles, and substances, with substances ≥1 ton/year and substances in mixtures ≥1 ton/year. EU REACH regulations apply to a wide range of industries including chemical industry, toys, appliances, furniture, and materials. There are 25 batches of 219 substances on the list of substances of very high concern, which require registration, assessment, authorization, and restriction. The goal of REACH regulations is to protect human health and the environment. Manufacturers or suppliers of electrical and electronic products need to identify and control hazardous substances in their products and ensure compliance through REACH certification. Additionally, for items containing candidate substances of very high concern, Safety Data Sheets (SDS) need to be provided. For substances requiring authorization for sale, applications need to be submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) according to the provisions of Appendix XIV. Furthermore, REACH regulations specify registration deadlines for different types and quantities of substances. Transitional arrangements may apply to phased-in substances under certain conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions about REACH Certification

What should be done if a product contains SVHC?

If a product contains SVHC above 0.1% (by weight), sufficient information needs to be provided to recipients in the supply chain, and notification needs to be made in the ECHA SCIP database.

Is REACH certification applicable to all countries exporting to the EU?

Yes, REACH regulations apply to all chemicals and products containing chemicals produced or imported within the EU.

Do retailers need to register for REACH?

Generally, retailers do not need to register directly for REACH. However, they need to ensure that products purchased from suppliers comply with REACH requirements and can provide necessary information to downstream users.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with REACH regulations?

Non-compliance with REACH regulations may result in product bans, fines, recalls,