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REACH / RoHS / CA65 / PFAS Certification Guide
When exporting to the EU and the US, the four report types buyers ask for most each govern one thing. This guide breaks each down by what it covers, where it applies and common misconceptions, and maps them against BlueFrontier's registered report categories.
Comparison
What each of the four report types covers
| Report | What it covers | Applicable market | Common misconception |
|---|---|---|---|
| REACH | EU chemicals registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction; focuses on substances of very high concern (SVHC) | EU | Not a single certificate but a batch-based chemical test |
| RoHS | Restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products (lead, cadmium, mercury and ten items total) | EU-led; often extended by customer requirements | Not mandatory for non-electrical goods, but downstream customers often request it together |
| California 65 (CA65) | Warning obligation for chemicals on California's list of known carcinogens or reproductive toxicants | California, USA | A warning-label duty, not a pass/fail judgement |
| PFAS | Restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances; some US states have legislated content limits | Some US states; trend is tightening | Requirements come from specific state laws and buyer standards — confirm per market |
Key points
How buyers use these reports
- Set the list by market — EU customers prioritize REACH (plus RoHS if requested); US customers ask first about CA65 and their state's PFAS rules;
- Update by batch — chemical tests are batch-specific; retesting is needed after material or supplier changes, and reports carry validity periods and batch correspondences;
- Physical tests are separate — spike pull force, abrasion and other physical performance are tested apart from chemical reports; the two cannot substitute for each other;
- Factory audits are another dimension — social-compliance audits such as Sedex govern factory management and run parallel to product chemical compliance.
Where to get them
BlueFrontier's registered report categories and how to request them
BlueFrontier's registered report index covers: REACH, RoHS, California 65, PFAS, EN71-3 and Sedex audit records. Coverage and versions follow the comparison table on the Certifications & Reports page; check against that list before ordering for your target market, and request specific report copies via the certifications page form or by email.
- Check the list: Certifications & Reports — the report-category vs market table;
- Request reports: use the certifications page form, noting report category and target market — replies within 1 business day;
- New-market compliance requirements: go through Custom & OEM to evaluate compound and packaging compliance together.
FAQ
Certification FAQ
Which test reports does exporting to the EU require?
The baseline is REACH chemical testing; some customers extend this with RoHS hazardous-substance restrictions, and product categories touched by young children also involve EN71-3. Reports update by batch and require retesting when materials change; verify item by item against your target market before ordering. BlueFrontier's registered categories are listed in the table on the Certifications & Reports page.
Are California 65 and PFAS the same thing?
No. CA65 is California's warning-label obligation for listed chemicals and is not itself a pass/fail judgement; PFAS is a restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances arising from some states' legislation and buyer standards, confirmed per specific market. The two cover different scopes and obligations and call for different responses.
Next steps
After the guide: check the list, request reports
- Report category comparison: Certifications & Reports;
- Low-temperature material differences: Natural rubber vs TPE vs silicone;
- Inquiries beyond reports: Contact & RFQ — replies within 1 business day.