Regulatory Compliance Overview for Suppliers
Written by Binod Paul
Purpose
This guidance is shared on behalf of our mutual customer to help you understand key European regulatory requirements that may apply to the materials, components, or products you supply.
Your proactive support in meeting these requirements is critical to help our shared customer ensure their products are legally compliant and sustainable.
Why Compliance Matters
Many countries, especially the EU, have strict regulations limiting hazardous substances in products to:
- Protect human health
- Safeguard the environment
- Enable market access
By understanding these rules and sharing accurate compliance information, you help your customer meet their legal obligations and build a responsible supply chain.
Summary of Key EU Regulations
The following is a brief overview of relevant EU legislation, with supplier expectations for each.
REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006)
What it does:
- Governs chemicals placed on the EU market.
- Requires sharing information about Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) in articles (>0.1% w/w).
- Imposes restrictions on certain substances (Annex XVII).
What is expected from you:
- Disclose if any SVHCs on the current Candidate List are present above 0.1% in your products.
- Provide supporting documentation (declarations, test reports, upstream supplier data).
- Stay updated and inform your customer of changes (new SVHCs added to the list).
REACH Annex XVII Restrictions
What it does:
Lists specific substances banned or restricted in certain uses.
Examples: phthalates, lead in certain applications, certain solvents, and so on.
What is expected from you:
- Ensure your products comply with relevant restrictions.
- Provide declarations or evidence of compliance if requested.
RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU, with amendments)
What it does:
- Restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU.
- Limits for substances like Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium, PBBs, PBDEs, and certain phthalates.
What is expected from you:
- Confirm your products comply with RoHS thresholds.
- Provide RoHS declarations or supporting test data on request.
PFAS Restrictions under REACH and other EU Laws
What it does:
- PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are regulated due to persistence and health risks.
- Specific PFAS are already restricted (e.g. PFOA, C9–C14 PFCAs) under REACH Annex XVII.
- Broader restrictions are being planned.
What is expected from you:
- Declare any intentionally added PFAS in your products.
- Ensure compliance with current REACH Annex XVII PFAS restrictions.
- Monitor upcoming regulatory changes and proactively manage risks.
EU POP Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/1021)
What it does:
- Controls Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) that are highly toxic, persistent, and bio accumulative.
- Bans or severely limits certain substances (e.g. certain flame retardants, PFOA, SCCPs).
What is expected from you:
- Confirm your products do not contain banned POPs.
- If regulated POPs are present, ensure concentrations are below legal limits.
- Provide declarations or evidence of compliance.
What You Can Do to Support Your Customer
- Understand the regulations that may apply to your products.
- Maintain up-to-date compliance documentation (e.g. REACH SVHC declarations, RoHS declarations, test reports).
- Share accurate, complete material information through the supply chain.
- Notify your customer promptly if product composition changes or new regulatory risks are identified.
- Respond to compliance data requests quickly to enable market access.
Working Together
By collaborating openly and sharing accurate compliance data, you help your customer:
- Avoid legal risks and penalties
- Ensure safe, sustainable products
- Maintain access to key global markets
Your proactive support is essential for a responsible, future-ready supply chain.