EU product compliance
REACH
REACH: Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals
Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)
REACH is the EU’s main law on chemicals. For companies selling consumer products, it matters in two ways: certain substances are restricted or banned in products, and substances of very high concern must be communicated along the supply chain. These lists change regularly, so product data needs to be checked again whenever they are updated.
Who it applies to
Manufacturers, importers and distributors of products (articles) placed on the EU market, such as clothing, footwear, furniture, toys and household goods, and their suppliers. Importers carry the main responsibility for products made outside the EU.
- Apparel & Fashion
- Home Goods & Furniture
- Toys & Kids
Key dates
1 Jun 2007
REACH enters into force
5 Jan 2021
Articles containing a Candidate List substance above 0.1% must be notified to ECHA’s SCIP database (Waste Framework Directive)
6 Aug 2026
Formaldehyde emission limits apply to furniture, wood-based articles and other consumer articles (Annex XVII, entry 77)
10 Oct 2026
PFHxA limits apply to clothing, accessories and footwear for the general public
10 Oct 2027
PFHxA limits extend to all other textiles, leather, furs and hides
Twice a year
The Candidate List of substances of very high concern is updated
What the law requires
- Restricted substances listed in Annex XVII must stay below legal limits, for example azo dyes and chromium VI in textiles and leather, phthalates in plastics, nickel release, formaldehyde emissions and certain PFAS
- If an article contains a substance of very high concern from the Candidate List above 0.1% by weight, suppliers must give their customers enough information for safe use, and answer consumer requests within 45 days
- Such articles must also be notified to ECHA’s SCIP database, and above 1 tonne per year of the substance, producers and importers must notify ECHA
- Substances manufactured or imported at 1 tonne or more per year must be registered, which mainly concerns chemical manufacturers and importers
How VERAEN will help
- Supplier declarations on restricted substances and SVHCs collected per product and component
- Test reports checked against the Annex XVII restriction limits
- Alerts when the Candidate List or restrictions change, showing which products may be affected
- SVHC information ready to pass on to customers and to answer consumer requests within 45 days
Official sources
- Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 – REACH (EUR-Lex)
- Waste Framework Directive 2008/98/EC (EUR-Lex)
- ECHA Candidate List of substances of very high concern
Last reviewed: November 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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