REACH compliance

REACH is a European Union regulation (1907/2006/EC) restricting the levels of specific chemical substances in all imported goods. With our online platform, you can easily book your laboratory tests and keep your production REACH compliant.

REACH EU Regulation and Compliance

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is one of the most comprehensive and far-reaching pieces of environmental legislation to come out of the European Union.
Third-party laboratory Testing allows you to verify compliance with the following requirements of REACH:

Annex XVII Restricted Substances

  • 7 phthalates (3phthalates for toys and childcare articles that can be places in the mouth by children)
  • AZO colorants in textiles
  • Nickel release from metal products in direct contact with skin
  • PCTs
  • Benzene
  • Asbestos fibres
  • Arsenic compounds
  • Mercury compounds
  • Cadmium
  • View full list

Candidate list of SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern)

There is a general 0.1% w/w (0.1% of total product weight) limit for each of the SVHCs that applies to all product types. Substances of Very High Concern include

  • Carcinogenic, Mutagenic or toxic to reproduction (CMR)
  • Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic (PBT) or very Persistent and very Bioaccumulative (vPvB)
  • Identified, on a case-by-case basis, from scientific evidence as causing probable serious effects to human health or the environment of an equivalent level of concern as those above (e.g. endocrine disrupters).


REACH Updates


Candidate List Extension

In July of 2021, eight new substances* of very high concern (SVHCs) were added to the Candidate List which now contains 219 substances. 

QIMA recommends all importers serving the EU test their products for SVHCs in order to show due diligence in complying with REACH regulations. QIMA Laboratory Testing can help you prepare, implement and comply with REACH regulations. Our testing services allow you to place your products with confidence on the targeted markets. To learn more about our testing services for a wide range of products, please complete the Need More Information form on the right.

ECHA candidate list of SVHC


Authorisation List Extension

In February 2020, the official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) published the 6th update of REACH Annex XIV (authorization list) under (EU) No 2020/171. An addition of 11 substances have been newly included in the authorization list and the total no. of substances under the list have been updated from 43-54.

In March 2020, the draft 10th recommendation of the list of substances subject to authorization have been released with comment period closed in June 2020. ECHA will provide its final recommendation to the European Commission in Spring 2021. The Commission will decide which substances to include in the Authorization List and on the respective conditions applicable for each substance.

ECHA News Release

View full authorization list

According to a news release from ECHA on 10 December 2020, “a valid registration was completely missing for 77 out of 1 193 (6.5 %) inspected substances needing a registration. 180 (15 %) of the substances were non-compliant with at least one of the registration-related obligations checked in the scope of the project. This includes the duty to register but also, for example, the duty to update the dossier, use intermediates under strictly controlled conditions, submit correct tonnage information or comply with requirements for only representatives.”

Don’t miss your registration duties. Hiring an experienced third party inspection company is the best way to ensure you are REACH compliant.


REACH Compliance

Testing with QIMA allows you to integrate your REACH testing during your product Inspection. Guarantee the sample is from your production, not a sample the factory wants you to test.

You will receive a detailed report informing you if your product passed or failed the REACH compliance test.

Supply chain insights

Tedarik Zincirleri Denetimlerin "Ötesine" Geçmeye Gerçekten Hazır Mı?
Modern KSS (Kurumsal Sosyal Sorumluluk) stratejileri çeşitli araçları içermektedir, ancak bunların herhangi biri tedarikçi denetimlerinin yerini alabilir mi?
QIMA Etik Uygunluk Konferansı
Sunumumuzu izleyin ve global tedarik zincirleri ve tedarikte etik uygunluk konusunda daha fazla bilgi alın.
Yapısal Güvenlik: Tedarik Zincirinin Ölüm Kalım Meselesi
Dünya genelinde yapısal güvenliğin derinlemesine durum analizi
Omnichannel Retail and the Quality Risk
How can quality control at the source help prevent costly product returns for retailers?
Milenyum Nesline Odaklı Markaların Sosyal Sorumluluğu Gözardı Edememesinin 5 Nedeni
Y Kuşağının ve markanız için sosyal sorumluluğun artan önemi hakkında bilgi edinin.
Tüketici Bilinci Modern Köleliğe Bir Son Verecek mi?
Dünya genelinde zorla çalıştırılan tahmini 21 ila 36 milyon insanla, kölelik geçmişe ait bir olgu değildir.
Başarılı bir Kalite Kontrolde Dış Kaynak Kullanımının Beş Altın Kuralı
Dünyanın en büyük marka ve perakendecilerinden en iyi Kalite Kontrol uygulamaları
Etik Denetimler Resmi Raporu
Başarılı bir etik denetim programına dahil olan süreçler ve kriterler hakkında bilgi sahibi olun.
Q3 2021 Barometer: China’s recovery slows down, while ethical compliance hits a 3-year low
China sourcing exceeds pre-pandemic levels, but further growth may be stalled by virus resurgence.
Q2 2021 Barometer: As Businesses Look To Leave ‘Crisis Mode’ Behind, Diversification Continues While Ethical Compliance and Quality Take a Hit
QIMA inspection, audit and survey data collected in the first quarter of 2021 highlights the desire to diversify global supply chains.
Q1 2021 Barometer: 2020 in Review: Global Trade COVID Disruption Reveals Changes in Consumption Habits and Rampant Ethical Risks, as China Sourcing Beats the Odds
Almost a year into the COVID-19 crisis, uncertainty and disruption continue dominating global trade.
Q4 2020 Barometer: Global Trade Sees Asia's Manufacturing Powerhouses Begin to Rally Following Rebounding Demand in the West
Despite the fairly apocalyptic outlook that prevailed earlier in the year, sourcing insights for Q3 suggest that the crash of global trade in 2020 may ultimately be less dramatic than predicted.
COVID-19 Impact: China Sourcing Suggests W-Shaped Recovery While Manufacturing Struggles in Rest of Asia
Throughout Q2 2020, global supply chains have remained in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lockdowns are triggering dramatic yet erratic drops in demand and supply.
Q2 2020 Barometer: COVID-19 Impact: After a Brief Post-Lockdown Rebound, Sourcing from China Plummets 19% in Late March
Q1 2020 has been by far the most turbulent quarter since QIMA started analyzing trends in global sourcing, quality and compliance in 2012.
Q1 2020 Barometer: 2019 in Review – China Sourcing Volumes Drop for First Time Ever, While Quality and Sourcing Ethics Suffer in Emerging Regions
While the promise of a US-China trade deal may have brought some welcome optimism to the holiday season, the changes wrought on global trade by the trade wars of 2019 will linger.
QIMA Q4 Barometer: Quality and Sourcing Ethics Take a Hit as US Businesses Accelerate their Retreat from China
Last quarter, in a QIMA survey of 150+ global businesses in all major consumer segments...
QIMA Q3 2019 Barometer: Trade War: US Demand for China-based Inspections Drops by -13% as Other Regions Reap Benefits
Despite new US-China tariff hikes being on hold, the continuing shifting of US sourcing away from China underscores the lingering uncertainty faced by American businesses...
Q2 2019 Barometer: Safety Concerns Keep Growing as Manufacturing Competition Rages in Asia
Global sourcing in the first quarter of 2019 is still largely shaped by the fallout of 2018, in which US-China trade wars shook up the global sourcing landscape and drove many...
Q1 2019 Barometer: A Look Back at Global Sourcing in 2018: Trade Wars, Diversification, Sustainability Challenges
Between the US-China tariff stand-off and the increasing consumer and governments’ scrutiny on sustainability issues, 2018 proved a challenging year for global sourcing...
Q4 2018 Barometer: Are Supply Chain Ethics Becoming a Casualty of the Trade Wars?
As Asia’s manufacturing hubs are ramping up production for the upcoming holiday season, this quarter’s barometer paints a picture of increasingly diversified global sourcing and...
Q3 2018 Barometer: Ethical, Environmental Concerns Run High in Global Supply Chains
While concerns about international trade tensions abound halfway into 2018, QIMA's latest data on quality inspection and supplier audit demand offers some perspective on the shape...
Q2 2018 Barometer: China Unfazed by Global Trade Stand-Off, Supply Chains Face New Ethical Concerns
As manufacturing picks up in Asia’s sourcing hubs following the Chinese New Year break, QIMA's Q1 statistics for inspection and audit demand reflect the emerging sourcing trends...
QIMA Q1 Barometer: What Does 2018 Hold for Global Supply Chains
QIMA's 2018 Q1 Barometer offers a collection of unique insights on the state of sourcing, quality and compliance in 2017, as well as the trends that will shape the sourcing...
QIMA Q4 Barometer: Manufacturing Peak Season Brings New Quality and Ethical Challenges
As the holidays approach and manufacturing peak season has started in sourcing powerhouses throughout Asia, QIMA data on inspection and audit demand reflects the overall trends in ...
QIMA Q3 Barometer: Quality, Safety, Ethics: Supply Chains Still Struggle in 2017
Halfway through 2017, QIMA's onsite inspection and supplier audit statistics paint a picture of the ongoing struggle between old-school sourcing giants and their up-and-coming...
QIMA Q2 Barometer: 2017 Brings Product Quality Issues and Ethical Challenges
QIMA's Q1 figures for inspection and audit demand are a reflection of the sourcing trends that will continue shaping global trade throughout the rest of 2017. The first quarter of...
QIMA Q1 Barometer: 2016 in Review: Worrying Trends for Quality and Compliance across Global Supply Chains
QIMA 2016 audits and inspection demand gives an indication of the attractiveness of each sourcing regions for global brands and buyers. Read more in QIMA's Q1 barometer...
QIMA Q4 Barometer: China Growth Stabilizing as Exploding Batteries and Factory Fires Plague Supply Chains
QIMA data for Q3 2016 in China shows increased audit and inspection demand, at +12.6% compared to Q3 2015, consistent with the economic rebound China has displayed recently...
QIMA Q3 Barometer: Asia Pacific Unfazed by Global Trade Uncertainty, Apparel Supply Chains Struggle with Responsible Sourcing
Q2 2016 brings a lot of uncertainty to global trade, but China and Asia Pacific appear unfazed. Meanwhile, global apparel supply chains still struggle with safety and unethical lab...
QIMA Q2 Barometer: New Trade Directions Emerge, While Forced Labor and Structural Risks Plague Global Supply Chains
The year 2016 begins with shifts in global trade, ongoing quality issues, and a host of ethical challenges: from structural risks accompanying expansion in Egypt, Bangladesh, and...
QIMA Q1 Barometer: 2015 Ends with Exploding Hoverboards and Growing Ethical Concerns
China still in the spotlight for product safety, ethical issues abound in new sourcing regions and environmental impact is moving up the supply chain priority list.
QIMA Q4 Barometer: CSR, it's Becoming Harder to Hide. China Growth Hits New Low
China's new Food Safety Law introduces harsher standards and punishments and Bangladeshi prosecutors bring murder charges against the owners of Rana Plaza and the Tazreen factory.
QIMA Q3 Barometer: Southeast Asia Sees Staggering Growth, Food Violations Continue
While the economy of China may be growing at its slowest pace in six years, global brands are readily expanding their supply chains to other low-cost destinations in Asia...
QIMA Q2 Barometer: 68 Million Children Forced to Work, Death at Work Every 15 Seconds
The ILO published that every 15 seconds someone dies as a result of an occupational accident or disease. Congruent with what seems to be a sharp rise in global awareness on ethical...
QIMA Q1 Barometer: Cheap Labor Came at a High Price in 2014
Increased global supply chain transparency in 2014 revealed shocking statistics on the number of forced and child laborers worldwide, while workers across Asia faced consistently...

Further Reading

Guide to REACH:

Common REACH Concerns: