Understanding REACH Certificates of Compliance (REACH CoC)

For companies selling products in the European Union, REACH compliance is a business necessity.

One of the most common requests in supply chain communication is for a REACH Certificate of Compliance (REACH CoC). But what exactly is a REACH CoC, and why does it matter?

What is a REACH CoC?

A REACH CoC is a formal declaration from a supplier that their product complies with the EU’s REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals).

Unlike material declarations that provide detailed data, a REACH CoC is a higher-level statement of assurance that:

• The product does not contain restricted substances above threshold levels.
  
  
• If Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) are present, they are properly disclosed.
  
  
• The supplier is aware of their obligations under REACH and is meeting them.

This certificate is often requested by downstream customers who need to demonstrate compliance across their full supply chain.

Why REACH CoCs Matter for Your Business

A REACH CoC provides peace of mind by helping companies avoid costly risks.

Without clear proof of compliance your business could face:

• Market Access Risks: Non-compliance without a valid REACH CoC can result in products being restricted or removed from the EU market.
  
  
• Reputational Damage: Retailers and customers increasingly demand transparency, making REACH CoCs essential for trust.
  
  
• Supply Chain Delays: Missing or inaccurate REACH CoCs can stall shipments and delay product launches.

In short, a REACH CoC helps build trust while enabling smooth movement of goods across borders.

The Challenges of Managing REACH CoCs

Collecting and validating REACH CoCs isn’t always straightforward. Many suppliers:

• Rely on outdated templates or inconsistent formats.
  
  
• Provide incomplete or vague assurances in their REACH CoCs.
  
  
• Struggle to keep pace with the regular updates to the SVHC list (published twice per year).

This leaves compliance teams with the heavy burden of validating each REACH CoC, cross-checking against regulatory changes, and following up with suppliers.

How GoCompliance Simplifies REACH CoC Management

At GoCompliance, we know that supplier documentation like a REACH CoC is essential, but it shouldn’t be a bottleneck. Our platform automates the collection, validation, and management of REACH CoCs, ensuring your compliance data stays accurate and audit-ready.

With GoCompliance you benefit from:

• Automated Supplier Requests: Streamlined workflows for requesting and receiving REACH CoCs.
  
  
• Validation Against Live Regulations: AI-powered checks ensure REACH CoCs align with the latest SVHC updates.
  
  
• Centralized Records: All REACH CoCs and declarations stored in one system, easily accessible for audits and customer requests.
  
  
• Risk Visibility: Dashboards flag high-risk suppliers or parts lacking proper REACH CoCs.

This approach means fewer delays, stronger compliance confidence, and the ability to scale globally without adding manual workload.

In Conclusion

A REACH CoC is a cornerstone of compliance in the EU market.

By automating the way you collect, validate, and manage REACH CoCs, GoCompliance helps you stay ahead of regulatory updates and customer demands, while keeping your supply chain moving.

Schedule a 1 hour walkthrough of our platform to discover how we can help you streamline your compliance processes.