Companies operating in the European Union need to abide by the laws such as REACH and RoHS. There are some similarities, but they also possess fundamental differences. So first let us focus on REACH.
REACH is the acronym for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals. It entered into force on June 1, 2007. REACH is a regulation of the European Union, which is adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the daily-life risks that can be posed by chemicals while enhancing the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry. It also promotes alternative methods for the hazard assessment of substances to reduce the number of tests on animals.
This regulation applies to all chemical substances; REACH not only guides the chemical which is used in the industries but also to those which are used by us in our daily lives, for example in cleaning products, paints as well as in articles such as clothes, furniture, and electrical appliances. Therefore, this regulation has a huge impact on most companies across the EU and it changed the lifestyle of the people.
To provide a high level of protection of human health and the environment from the use of chemicals.
To make the people who place chemicals on the market (manufacturers and importers responsible for understanding and managing the risks associated with their use.)
To allow the free movement of substances on the EU market.
To enhance innovation in and the competitiveness of the EU chemicals industry.
To promote the use of alternative methods for the assessment of the hazardous properties of substances.
REACH applies to substances that are manufactured or imported into the EU in quantities of 1 tonne or more per year. Generally, this regulation is applied to all individual chemical substances on their own, in preparations or articles.
Some substances are specifically excluded:
Radioactive substances
Substances under customs supervision
The transport of substances
Non-isolated intermediates
Waste
Some naturally occurring low-hazard substances
Coming forward to RoHS (Reduction of Hazardous Substances) which directs on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, this directive was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union to protect both people and the environment from hazardous chemicals found in both electronics and electrical products.
The legislation’s primary purpose is to make electronics manufacturing safer at every stage of an electronic device’s life cycle. Of course, there are individuals and even large-scale distributors who continue to use non-RoHS parts which are completely illegal in the state, this is because RoHS compliance can be difficult to follow it completely as the devices generally may be inconvenient and expensive even at the governmental level.
Since July 1, 2006, all electrical and electronic products to be sold within the European Union must follow the RoHS materials requirements. You’ve likely heard RoHS referred to as the “lead-free directive”, but it restricts the use of six different materials, and lists their allowable levels in parts per million (ppm):
Lead: Lead is primarily used in the production of batteries, televisions, and computer monitors. RoHS restricts the use of lead to 1000ppm.
Mercury: Mercury has been used in the manufacture of fluorescent lamps, mercury- vapour lamps, printed circuitry, aluminium electroplating, thermostats, and fuel cells. The RoHS directive limits the use of mercury to 100ppm.
Cadmium: Cadmium, which has been limited by RoHS to 100ppm, can act as a stabilizer for some plastics, and is used in cadmium/nickel batteries, electroplating, pigment production, solders, brazing alloys, alarm systems, automatic sprinklers and nuclear shielding.
Hexavalent Chromium: Hexavalent chromium, which is used in photography, paints, plastics, and stainless steel products, is limited by RoHS to a level of no more than 1000ppm.
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): Polybrominated biphenyls, which are used in flame- retardants, plastic foams, and certain plastics used in home electrical appliances, have been limited by RoHS to 1000ppm.
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): Polybrominated diphenyl ethers are used in household electronics, printed circuit boards, and capacitors. RoHS limits the use of PBDE to 1000ppm.
Therefore, the main difference between RoHS and REACH is that RoHS prohibits hazardous substances that are present in electrical and electronic equipment that is within the directive. REACH, however, pertains to all chemicals including those used to make a product. This can include harmful materials, solvents, paints, chemicals, and more.
REACH is much broader in scope than RoHS, while RoHS covers the hazardous materials and focuses on those used in the manufacturing of electronics whereas REACH targets and controls the usage of thousands of harmful substances and is not limited to the electronics industry. For instance, cars, toys, furniture, and even clothing can be subjected to REACH provisions. By now we are pretty much clear about that though REACH and RoHS are different things, it is very essential in our daily lives to keep us protected from the harmful substances around us.
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