Compliance · Procurement Guide
REACH & RoHS Compliance for Coatings
If you buy coatings for products sold into Europe, two acronyms decide whether your shipment clears: REACH and RoHS. They are often quoted together but cover different things. This guide explains what each one controls, how water-based coatings make compliance easier, and exactly what documents to demand from a supplier.
In short (TL;DR)
REACH governs chemical substances broadly (via the SVHC list); RoHS restricts 10 hazardous substances in electrical/electronic equipment. Water-based, halogen-free, heavy-metal-free coatings make both easier to meet — and you should always ask for the declarations plus an SGS test report.
REACH vs RoHS
| Topic | REACH | RoHS |
|---|---|---|
| Region | European Union (EC 1907/2006) | EU (Directive 2011/65/EU) + adopted widely |
| Scope | Chemical substances in any product | Hazardous substances in electrical/electronic equipment |
| Controls | SVHC list, authorisation, restriction | Limits 10 substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, Cr6+, PBB, PBDE, 4 phthalates) |
| What buyers ask for | SVHC declaration / REACH statement | RoHS declaration of conformity + test report |
| Relevance to coatings | Solvents, additives, pigments | Heavy metals, flame-retardant chemistry |
Regulations change — always confirm the current SVHC list and RoHS substance limits for your product category and import date.
Why water-based chemistry helps
Switching from solvent-based to water-based coatings removes many restricted solvents and lowers VOCs at source. When the formulation is also halogen-free and free of restricted heavy metals, both REACH and RoHS become far easier to satisfy — which is exactly how Tentuo formulates its flame-retardant and fiberglass sleeve coatings.
The documents to request
Before you qualify a coating, ask for: a RoHS declaration of conformity with test report, a REACH / SVHC statement, the safety data sheet (SDS), and an independent SGS report. A supplier who can produce all four quickly is one set up for export — Tentuo provides these on request.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between REACH and RoHS?
REACH is an EU chemicals regulation covering substances in almost any product, managed through the SVHC list, authorisation and restriction. RoHS is an EU directive that restricts 10 specific hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. A coating can need both: REACH for its overall chemistry and RoHS because it ends up on electrical components.
Why do water-based coatings help with REACH and RoHS?
Water-based systems replace organic solvents with water as the carrier, which lowers VOC content and avoids many restricted solvents. Combined with halogen-free, heavy-metal-free formulation, this makes it easier to meet REACH SVHC expectations and RoHS substance limits — a real advantage for buyers exporting into the EU.
What documents should I request from a coating supplier?
Ask for a RoHS declaration of conformity with a supporting test report, a REACH/SVHC statement, the safety data sheet (SDS), and ideally an independent SGS test report. Tentuo provides RoHS and REACH compliance documentation and SGS reports on request.
Is a flame-retardant coating automatically compliant?
No. Flammability rating (such as UL94 V-0) is separate from chemical compliance. A flame-retardant coating must still meet REACH and RoHS — which is why halogen-free chemistry matters. Tentuo's TT-AC-FR is halogen-free and RoHS/REACH compliant in addition to its adjustable UL94 rating.
Need REACH/RoHS-compliant coatings for export?
Our water-based coatings are RoHS and REACH compliant with SGS reports available. Request documentation and samples for your qualification process.