REACH/RoHS, Cooper Standard ISG and You:

Customers in the industrial sealing and fluid handling space face constant pressure to meet evolving standards from regulatory agencies, certifying bodies, and industry groups. Cooper Standard ISG stays ahead by proactively monitoring these requirements, developing compliant materials, submitting documentation, and helping customers avoid penalties while entering global markets profitably.

We offer ready-to-use alternative materials, in-house compounding and profile design expertise, and advanced Finite Element Analysis to support any need.

In this blog series, we will discuss the organizations and requirements that most frequently impact our products and our customers, including ASTM; UL; California OEHHA’s Prop 65; the European Chemical Agency’s REACH and RoHS; PFAS mandates; Responsible Minerals; and, finally, the FDA, along with some of its international analogs and the certifying body NSF.

In each blog post, we will discuss some of the responsibilities that requirements might place upon customers in particular industries, and how Cooper Standard ISG expertise can help ensure that our partners’ seals, fluid handling systems and all related components meet every demand.

In this blog post, we will be discussing REACH and RoHS.

Meeting REACH/RoHS regulations is a major concern to many of our customers. While these regulations technically apply only to products sold in Europe, some manufacturers opt out if they believe their products won’t enter the EU. However, because used products can still reach Europe, many companies comply as a precaution. Additionally, since Europe often sets environmental standards that later influence U.S. regulations, manufacturers frequently assess compliance early.

REACH vs. RoHS: Key Differences

Both regulations are managed by the EU’s European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) but serve different purposes. RoHS, introduced in 2003, restricts 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. REACH, established in 2007, is broader, covering over 140,000 chemicals across all industries.

A major focus of REACH is the Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) list—about 250 chemicals classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic, or environmentally hazardous. Manufacturers must notify ECHA and customers if SVHCs exceed set limits and provide safety information. Some SVHCs may move to the Authorization List, requiring special approval for use.

SVHCs must be declared but not necessarily eliminated. However, using them can create market stigma and competitive disadvantages. Non-compliance with REACH or RoHS can lead to fines, recalls, and reputational damage for OEMs and suppliers.

A Full-Time Job

Since so many of our partners manufacture appliances, HVAC units and other electronic equipment, Cooper Standard ISG stays up to date on the demands of both RoHS and REACH. While RoHS has remained relatively stable, it has introduced new requirements periodically. In contrast, REACH is more dynamic, with updates occurring every six months.

At Cooper Standards ISG, we maintain a database of substances impacted by both REACH and RoHS. When a new compound is added to a list, we promptly conduct a risk assessment process to identify its use within our operations and determine which products and customers might be affected, especially regarding their exposure to European markets. We will assess possible alternatives and/or develop a new compound to have it ready to go for customers to choose.

Boric acid, long valued as a green strength modifier in silicones, was unexpectedly added to the REACH SVHS list several years after its introduction, leaving many manufacturers scrambling. Because Cooper Standard ISG is vertically integrated and produces its own silicone from scratch, we were able to reform our recipes to create a boric acid free silicone, providing our customers with an alternative well ahead of competitors. This allowed Cooper Standard ISG customers to avoid reporting requirements if they chose, while most others in the industry just faced the challenges and stigma associated with SVHS reporting.

It does come down to choice, and we can help you determine the best way to meet your EU requirements. We can help you decide when REACH/RoHS compliance is warranted, and, if so, how to proceed, with reporting or reformulating. We are experts in both and can help ensure that you shine in EU markets as well as domestic ones.