Two European rules appear on almost every magnet inquiry: RoHS and REACH. They are different, and both matter when selling products into the EU. They show up in data sheets, in inquiry forms and on packing lists.
RoHS — restricted substances
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) limits specific materials — lead, mercury, cadmium and others — in electrical and electronic products sold in the EU. A magnet inside a motor or sensor must not push the product over these limits.
Good news: sintered NdFeB itself is generally RoHS-compliant. The risk lives in the coatings, adhesives and plastics around it — a nickel or zinc coating, or the plastic in a bonded magnet, could contain restricted substances. That is why compliance is checked per part, not per material family.
REACH — chemical registration
REACH is broader. It registers and restricts chemicals used in the EU, and some substances are listed as "substances of very high concern". Manufacturers and importers must track these and pass information down the supply chain.
What documents to ask for
- Declaration of Conformity — the supplier states the product complies with RoHS.
- Test reports — lab results for restricted substances, usually covering the coating or plastic.
- REACH statements — confirmation on listed substances, sometimes with SVHC declarations.
Practical tip
Ask for these documents when you first sample, not at mass production. Suppliers usually have them ready, but a change of coating or adhesive can change compliance — so re-confirm whenever the material changes. Keep the documents with your part files, ready to pull out the moment a customer asks.
Read on: GB/T standards guide → · buying guide →