What Is REACH Certification?
REACH certification is a compliance-related document that some PCB customers request as part of their purchasing, project approval, export, or internal documentation process. This page explains what REACH certification generally means, why PCB customers may request it, how it differs from RoHS, and when you may need to ask for it in your PCB quote.
Basic Meaning of REACH Certification
In practical business use, REACH certification is commonly understood as a compliance document related to chemical substance requirements. For PCB fabrication customers, it is usually requested when a project, customer, purchasing department, or compliance process needs supporting documentation for materials or product compliance records.
In other words, the customer is not only buying the PCB itself, but may also need a related compliance document for record keeping, project approval, supply chain review, or shipment documentation.
Why Do PCB Customers Request REACH Certification?
Not every PCB order requires REACH certification. However, some customers ask for it because their company or end customer requires supporting compliance documents as part of the purchasing process.
- Internal purchasing or supplier approval requirements
- Project compliance document collection
- Customer or end-customer specification requirements
- Export-related document preparation
- Supply chain compliance review
If your company has a checklist for environmental or material compliance documents, REACH certification may be one of the required items.
REACH Certification vs. RoHS
REACH and RoHS are not the same requirement. Customers sometimes confuse them, but they should be treated separately.
| Item | General Meaning |
|---|---|
| REACH | Usually requested as a compliance-related document concerning chemical substance requirements |
| RoHS | Usually requested as a separate compliance requirement related to restricted hazardous substances |
When Should You Request REACH Certification?
You should request REACH certification when your PCB order requires REACH-related compliance documentation. In most cases, this requirement should be identified before you finish the quote process.
- Your company purchasing department requires it
- Your customer or end customer asks for it
- Your project file requires compliance documentation
- Your order needs environmental or material compliance records
The safest approach is to request REACH certification at the quote stage, so the requirement is clearly shown in the quotation specification.
How REACH Certification Works in Our PCB Quote Process
On our website, if you need REACH certification, you can request it during the online quote process by selecting the REACH option in the quote form.
- Open the PCB quote page
- Select Unusual PCB Features (Option)
- Change REACH Certification from No to Yes
- Continue the quote process
- Confirm that the final quotation specification shows REACH Certification: Yes
Who May Need REACH Certification?
REACH certification is more commonly requested by customers who have stronger compliance, documentation, or purchasing controls.
- Industrial customers
- Customers supplying to larger organizations
- Projects with formal documentation requirements
- Orders that require compliance records for approval or archiving
If you are unsure whether REACH certification is needed, check your internal purchasing requirements or confirm with your customer before placing the order.
Need to Request REACH Certification in Your Quote?
If you already know your PCB order requires REACH certification, please follow our step-by-step request guide.
REACH Certification FAQ
Is REACH certification required for every PCB order?
No. Not every PCB order requires REACH certification. It depends on the customer's project requirements, purchasing rules, or compliance document needs.
Is REACH the same as RoHS?
No. REACH and RoHS are different requirements. If your project needs both, they should be confirmed separately.
When should I request REACH certification?
The best time is during the quote process, before the order is finalized, so the requirement is clearly included in the quotation specification.
Need Help?
If you are not sure whether your PCB order requires REACH certification, please contact us before placing the order.