A Comprehensive Guide to Product Material Compliance for Manufacturers

What’s Product Material Compliance, and Why Should You Care?

Expanding your product into new markets? You’re up against a wall of compliance regulations. And here’s the deal: If your product isn’t compliant, it’s not selling.

Product material compliance ensures your materials meet the legal and environmental standards of your target market. Miss the mark? Expect fines, recalls, and a hit to your brand’s credibility.

Let’s cut through the complexity and break down what you actually need to know.

The Big 4 Compliance Regulations You Can’t Ignore

1. REACH – The EU’s Strict Chemical Control

• What It Covers: REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) applies to any company manufacturing or importing chemicals into the EU.
• Your Responsibility: Register substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) and prove they’re safe.
• What Happens If You Ignore It? Market restrictions, legal action, and blocked EU sales.
• Get the Details: The Complete Guide to EU REACH Regulation

2. RoHS – No Harmful Substances Allowed

• What It Covers: Regulates the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, and other restricted substances in electronics.
• Your Responsibility: Ensure your components meet RoHS substance limits and document compliance.
• What Happens If You Ignore It? Sales bans and hefty fines.
• Get the Details: The Complete Guide to ROHS Compliance

3. California Proposition 65 – The Labeling Law You Can’t Skip

• What It Covers: Requires businesses to warn consumers if their products contain substances known to cause cancer or reproductive harm.
• Your Responsibility: Provide clear warning labels if your product has a listed chemical.
• What Happens If You Ignore It? Expensive lawsuits and lost sales in California.
• Get the Details: The Complete Guide to California Proposition 65

4. Waste Framework Directive (WFD) & SCIP Database – Recycling and Reporting

• What It Covers: Requires companies to track and report hazardous materials for waste management.
• Your Responsibility: Submit detailed substance data to the SCIP Database.
• What Happens If You Ignore It? No EU market access.
• Get the Details: The Complete Guide to SCIP Database Reporting under EU WFD

Want to Stay Compliant? Here’s Your Game Plan

1. Lock in Supplier Data – Know exactly what’s in your products.
2. Automate Compliance Tracking – Use software to stay ahead of regulatory changes.
3. Regularly Review Regulations – Non-compliance happens fast if you’re not watching.
4. Assess Risks Early – Identify red flags before they cost you sales.

How Acquis Compliance Has Your Back

At Acquis Compliance, we simplify compliance so you can focus on business growth. Our software and expertise make it easy to track, report, and prove compliance across REACH, RoHS, and more.

More Ways to Stay Ahead:

• Environmental Compliance Software Modules
• Understanding Material Disclosure Standards
• EU Waste Framework Directive and SCIP

Do you want to eliminate compliance headaches? Talk to an Acquis expert today.