REACH: Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals

Author: Maren Fichtner | October 8, 2026

Definition: What is REACH?

REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) is an EU regulation that governs the registration, evaluation, authorization, and restriction of chemical substances. It requires manufacturers and importers to register chemical substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) if the annual volume exceeds one metric ton, and establishes specific reporting and information requirements for substances of very high concern (SVHCs).

Publisher: European Union / European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Legal basis: Regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006

Who is REACH applicable to?

REACH applies to virtually all companies that manufacture, import, or place on the market in the EU chemical substances – whether as pure substances, in mixtures, or as components of articles such as parts, assemblies, or finished products. This means virtually all industrial sectors are affected: from chemical production to metal and electronics manufacturing to mechanical and plant engineering.

Overview of Key Requirements

Registration: Reporting of chemical substances in quantities of 1 metric ton or more per year to ECHA SVHC Candidate List: Continuously updated list of substances of very high concern
Information requirement: Notification to customers if a SVHC substance is present in a product at a concentration exceeding 0.1 percent by weight
SCIP database: Obligation to report substances of concern in articles to the European SCIP database
Authorization requirement: Certain particularly hazardous substances may only be used with express authorization
Supply chain communication: Safety data sheets and substance information throughout the entire supply chain

Difference from RoHS

REACH is the significantly more comprehensive regulation: It covers virtually all chemical substances in nearly all product categories and is continually being expanded to include new SVHC substances. RoHS, on the other hand, restricts a fixed, manageable list of ten substances exclusively in electrical and electronic equipment. In practice, the two are not mutually exclusive – electronics manufacturers often have to keep track of both the fixed RoHS substance list and the constantly changing SVHC candidate list.

Consequences of noncompliance

Failure to register or report SVHCs can result in sales bans, fines, and reputational damage. Since the SVHC list is regularly expanded – usually twice a year – a product that was previously compliant may suddenly become subject to reporting requirements without active monitoring. Comprehensive substance data collection is one of the greatest practical challenges, particularly in complex supply chains with many purchased components.

Frequently asked questions about REACH

Is REACH required by law?

Yes, as an EU regulation (EC) No. 1907/2006 that is directly applicable, with no need for national implementation.

What is the difference between REACH and RoHS?

REACH comprehensively regulates nearly all chemical substances, while RoHS specifically restricts ten substances in electronic devices.

What is the SVHC Candidate List?

A continuously updated list of substances of very high concern, for which reporting and information requirements apply when their concentration in a product reaches or exceeds 0.1 percent by weight.

Who is required to provide proof?

Manufacturers, importers, and downstream users who place affected substances or articles on the market in the EU.

Successfully implementing REACH

The biggest challenge is continuously monitoring the SVHC list across the entire supply chain – especially when components are frequently substituted or new suppliers are brought on board. Connected worker platforms like weasl automatically link material batches to stored substance data and trigger an alert as soon as a component is about to be approved without up-to-date proof of compliance.

Learn more about weasl and request our product flyer now.

REACH