# RoHS vs. REACH: Same Letters, Very Different Rules

Both RoHS and REACH restrict hazardous chemicals in electronics. Both matter
for CE marking. But they operate completely differently — and confusing them
leads to costly compliance gaps. This short explains the practical difference.


## Transcript

### The confusion

Both RoHS and REACH restrict hazardous chemicals in electronics. Both start with R. Both matter for CE marking. But they work completely differently, and confusing them is an expensive mistake.

### RoHS vs. REACH side by side

RoHS restricts ten substances — lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, six flame retardants — tested at the material level. Pass or fail, fixed list. REACH covers all chemicals, all products. The Substances of Very High Concern list has over 240 entries and keeps growing. Your duty: communicate if any article exceeds 0.1 percent by weight, within 45 days of listing.

### The key practical difference

RoHS is a one-time event per product generation — your solder is lead-free or it isn't. REACH is permanent: every time ECHA adds a substance, check your bill of materials. Exceed 0.1 percent on any article, and you have 45 days to notify customers.

Tags: RoHS, REACH, hazardous substances, CE marking, chemical compliance