Staying Compliant: Navigating the Complexities of REACH and RoHS Regulations in Today’s Global Market
Read Time: 3 Mins | 2 March 2023
Are you a professional working in a special trade or retail industry in Europe? If so, you may have heard of REACH and RoHs regulations and wondered how they apply to the products you use and sell. As a manufacturer of precision tools and equipment, the L.S. Starrett Company is committed to compliance with REACH and RoHs regulations, and we want to share our approach with you.
What is REACH?
The REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals) is a European Union (EU) regulation that came into effect on June 1, 2007. The regulation was introduced to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks associated with chemicals.
Under REACH, companies that manufacture or import chemicals into the EU in quantities greater than one tonne per year are required to register those substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). The registration process involves providing information on the properties and potential risks of the chemical, as well as information on how to use the chemical safely.
In addition to registration, the regulation also requires companies to evaluate the risks associated with the chemicals they produce or import and to take steps to manage those risks. This includes providing information on how to handle and use the chemical safely, as well as taking measures to prevent or minimize exposure to the chemical.
REACH also allows the EU to restrict or even ban the use of certain chemicals that are deemed to be harmful to human health or the environment. This can be done through a process of authorization, which requires companies to apply for permission to use a particular chemical.
What steps is Starrett taking as a manufacturer to comply with REACH regulations?
At Starrett, we take this responsibility seriously and have evaluated our products’ compliance with REACH regulations when they are put on the market in the European Economic Area (EEA).
As a manufacturer of “articles” to our EU customers, we do not manufacture “substances” or “preparations” that require registration under REACH. Instead, we focus on producing precision tools and equipment that meet the highest standards of safety and quality. According to the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), an “article” is an object that is given a special shape, surface, or design, which determines its function to a greater degree than its chemical composition. Most Starrett products are considered articles and have been found not to contain Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) at concentrations above 0.1%(w/w).
In addition, the articles produced by the L.S. Starrett Co. do not exceed the limits set by REACH regulations for substances that are intended to be released from articles during normal conditions of use. Therefore, our products do not require registration or notification.
You can rest assured that all legitimate Starrett products offered in the Starrett catalogue or on the official website are compliant with REACH regulations, except for a few product lines that do not meet the definition of “articles.” These product lines include Starrett Chalk and Chalk Lines, Kleenscribe layout dye, M-1 oil, Surface plate cleaner, and Tool and instrument oil.
In addition, to REACH compliance, we at the L.S. Starrett Company also take our responsibility toward the environment seriously. That’s why we are committed to ensuring that our products not only meet REACH regulations but also adhere to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive.
What is RoHs?
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. It is a European Union (EU) regulation that restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
The RoHS directive limits the use of six hazardous materials in the production of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. These substances include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
The purpose of RoHS is to protect human health and the environment by reducing the number of hazardous materials used in electronic and electrical equipment. The directive applies to all products sold within the EU and is intended to ensure that manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment meet certain safety and environmental standards.
Our Commitment
At Starrett, we are committed to providing our customers with safe, reliable, and high-quality tools and equipment. By using environmentally friendly materials in our manufacturing processes, we can help to minimize the impact of our products on the environment and contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future. Compliance with REACH and RoHs regulations are just two of the ways we demonstrate this commitment. If you have any questions about our products or our approach to REACH or RoHs compliance, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to serving you and helping you achieve your goals with confidence and peace of mind.
Our official REACH and RoHs Compliance Documents can be found here:
Documentation – Starrett
Visit our contact page for any inquiries:
www.starrett.co.uk/contact
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