What is RoHS and REACH certificate?

ROHS certification and Restricted Substances  

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) has been implemented since 2006 with the main goal of limiting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. According to the RoHS 2.0 revision, as of 2024, the list of restricted substances under the RoHS directive is as follows:

1. Lead (Pb)

2. Mercury (Hg)

3. Cadmium (Cd)

4. Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)

5. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PBBs)

6. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)

7. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)

8. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)

9. Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)

10. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

The use of these substances is strictly limited or prohibited in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS 2.0, which was revised on June 4, 2015, added four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, and DIBP) to the original list, bringing the total number of restricted substances to 10.

REACH Certification and Restricted Substances  

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) regulation focuses on the safe use of chemicals and includes the management of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs). As of 2024, the SVHC list under the REACH directive has grown to include over 200 substances (the exact number may change with each update).

- SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) List: As of January 2024, the latest list published by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) includes over 200 substances that require special attention due to potential hazards to human health or the environment during use.

- Major Types of Substances:

  - Carcinogenic substances: Such as certain heavy metals, asbestos, and some organic chemicals.

  - Reproductive toxicants: Such as certain chemical additives, plasticizers, etc.

  - Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs): Such as certain brominated flame retardants and organochlorine compounds.

  - Persistent and bioaccumulative substances: Such as certain chlorinated solvents.

The SVHC list is continuously updated based on reports and safety assessments submitted by EU member states. Therefore, products entering the EU market must ensure they do not contain chemicals exceeding the limits for these substances, especially if they are present in the product or its components.

As of 2024, there are several updates to the restricted substances lists of RoHS and REACH:

- The RoHS restricted substances list now includes 10 substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polychlorinated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and four phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP).

- The REACH SVHC list has exceeded 200 substances and is regularly updated to cover more substances that pose potential risks to human health and the environment.

These ongoing updates to restricted substances highlight the importance of businesses staying informed on compliance requirements to avoid environmental pollution and health risks to consumers when selling products in the EU market.

For further specific inquiries or to view the latest SVHC list, you can refer to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website or contact a professional testing and certification body (such as China’s JJR laboratory).