If you have been working in the manufacturing industry for quite a long time, you probably would have come across letters named RoHS and REACH. They are seen on various documentation and even while you browse certain websites. What these letters stand for?
In the practical sense, RoHS bans all the harmful substances that are present in the EEE products, like wiring, components, displays, circuit boards, and sub-assemblies.
REACH, on the other hand, will be controlling all the chemicals that might be used to manufacture commercial products. These include the brackets, paint, enclosures, coatings, and solvents that are used at the time of manufacturing.
Due to these regulating bodies, manufacturers have now become responsible while producing products of the best qualities, all while being conscious of their effects on the environment.
RoHS- Restriction of Hazardous Substances
The RoHS was introduced in the European Union in 2003. It prohibits the use of certain hazardous chemicals in electronic and electrical products and their components. You can well understand that this is going to affect your business directly. Any current or potential customers will require products that comply with the RoHS directive. The restricted substances are very harmful to the environment and people and can also harm the handling, building, or recycling of the products.
The substances that are forbidden are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE. Under the RoHS 3 directive that was published later in 2015, four additional phthalates were also put on the restriction list.
REACH- Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals
REACH is another important regulation that is getting widely accepted across the world. This regulation originated back in 2006, and primarily addresses the production as well as the use of certain chemical products in commercial articles. The directive also addresses the potential impact of these chemicals on human health as well as the environment.
How are they different?
You might be wondering about how they are different since both of them deal with chemicals. REACH is more like a regulation that is monitored by the ECHA, and they deal with 197 substances that are SVHC in nature. The RoHS compliance, on the other hand, bans the use of specific products in electrical and electronic equipment.
You will get a better idea of RoHS reach when you work closely with experts like Enviropass and get the clearance of the products that you manufacture.
