This article is part of the RoHS and Critical Materials in our Series Library.
Previous articles in Electronic Design have highlighted the need for specific usages of lead in electronic components, options for materials containing halogens and phthalates, and 2015 and 2018 updates on how supply chains can declare environmental data using the IPC-1752A standard. Here we focus on EU REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation, of Chemicals), a Regulation of the European Commission. It includes requirements for industry to communicate information to customers about the REACH Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) published by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Unlike the RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substance), which essentially bans shipment of products in the EU if certain substance thresholds are exceeded (except for specific Exemptions), any product containing REACH SVHC may still enter the market—however, new reporting obligations must be met.