EU REACH Regulation Compliance Guide: Achieve Market Access through Professional Inspection, Testing and Certification

2026年2月6日

The EU REACH regulation, as one of the most stringent chemical management systems in the world, implements comprehensive supervision over all chemical substances present in almost all products entering its market (such as electrical and mechanical equipment, toys, plastics, textiles and clothing, electronic appliances, automotive parts, etc.). Ensuring that products meet the testing and compliance requirements of the REACH regulation has become a crucial prerequisite for manufacturers and exporters to enter and maintain the EU market. Professional inspection, factory audit, testing and certification services are the pillars of risk management that run through the product life cycle and achieve systematic compliance.
Analysis of the Key Points of the REACH Regulation
REACH is the abbreviation of the "Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals" regulation in the European Union. Its core lies in:
R (Registration): Mandatory data reporting for chemical substances being placed on the EU market.
E (Evaluation): The competent authority conducts a compliance review of the registration materials.
A (Authorization): Implement licensing management for the use of substances of very high concern (SVHC).
CH (Chemicals): The regulatory scope covers all chemical components in substances, mixtures and items (finished products).
This regulation establishes the principle of prevention, the principle of due diligence, and the principle of reversing the burden of proof. It shifts the responsibility for proving product safety to all enterprises along the entire supply chain.
Scope of regulatory impact and core obligations of SVHC
The REACH regulation is widely applicable to products manufactured, imported or sold within the European Union. The most challenging part of it is the control of substances of very high concern (SVHC). According to Article 7(2) and Article 33 of the REACH regulation, for SVHC present in items (finished products), enterprises need to fulfill the following obligations:
Information transmission: If the content of SVHC in the item exceeds 0.1% (w/w), any link in the supply chain (including suppliers, manufacturers, and importers) is obligated to provide the recipient with information on safe use.
SVHC Notification: If the content of SVHC in an item exceeds 0.1%, and the total amount of this substance entering the EU exceeds 1 ton per year per manufacturer or importer, then a notification must be submitted to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
Professional Note: The SVHC list (i.e., the "candidate list") is constantly updated. Enterprises must establish a dynamic monitoring and response mechanism.
Build a REACH compliance defense line through systematic inspection and testing certification
To address the complexity of the REACH regulations, one cannot rely solely on final product testing. Compliance control must be moved forward to the entire process of product design, raw material procurement, and production. The inspection, factory inspection, and certification services provided by professional third-party institutions play a crucial role in this process:
Supply chain source inspection and audit
Chemical substance management system inspection: By conducting audits on upstream material suppliers and production factories, we assess whether they have a complete chemical control system and can provide raw material declarations and supporting test reports that comply with REACH requirements.
Production process control audit: Verify whether the production process may introduce prohibited or restricted substances, and ensure the transparency and traceability of the supply chain.
2. Product Full-Cycle Inspection and Testing
Raw material incoming inspection (IQC): Based on the compliance statements provided by suppliers, samples are taken from incoming materials and verification tests are conducted for high-risk substances to prevent violations at the source.
Inspection during production (IPQC): Monitoring key process points to prevent cross-contamination during the production process or the introduction of unintended chemical substances.
Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI) and Product Validation: Before shipment, professional inspectors conduct final compliance verification in accordance with REACH requirements. This not only involves visual and functional inspections, but also includes:
Verify the Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS) and Compliance Declarations (DoC) for all components.
According to the product risk matrix, samples will be sent to the laboratory for SVHC screening tests or tests for specific restricted substances (such as those restricted in Appendix XVII).
Verify whether the product labels and accompanying documents contain the chemical information required by regulations.
3. Professional Testing and Certification Support
Compliance Testing: Utilizing qualified laboratories, we conduct precise chemical analysis tests in accordance with the requirements of the REACH regulations, such as the SVHC list and the restricted substance list (Appendix XVII), and obtain credible test reports.
Technical document review and preparation: Assist the enterprise in organizing and maintaining the necessary technical files required to prove product compliance, in order to prepare for possible official evaluations or customer reviews.
Compliance strategy suggestion: From reactive approach to proactive management
To prevent product recalls, fines, and damage to market reputation due to non-compliance, enterprises should establish an active compliance management system:
During the product design phase, compliance requirements are incorporated: The chemical substance restriction lists from regulations such as REACH are treated as mandatory input conditions for design and material selection.
Establishing the Qualified Supplier List (AVL): Through rigorous supplier audits and continuous material certification management, ensure the compliance and stability of the raw material sources.
Carry out regular and irregular supervision and inspection: Especially for high-risk products or suppliers, through periodic or spot inspections, ensure continuous compliance.
Maintain dynamic tracking of regulations and conduct internal training: Keep a close eye on the updates of the SVHC list and enforcement cases, and provide continuous training to the procurement, R&D, and quality teams.
Conclusion
The EU REACH regulation represents a continuously evolving systematic compliance challenge. For export-oriented enterprises, it is difficult for them to fully address it on their own. Integrating professional third-party inspection, factory audit, testing and certification services into the enterprise's quality management and supply chain supervision system is an economically efficient choice for building a robust compliance defense line, effectively managing risks, and ultimately winning long-term trust in the EU market. Through front-end prevention and full-process verification, enterprises can not only ensure market access but also forge product competitiveness centered on safety and environmental protection.