What is the difference between REACH SVHC and Annex XVII restrictions?

SVHC list is "Substances of Very High Concern" — exceeding 0.1% requires notification and information transfer, but use is not prohibited. Annex XVII is the "Restriction List" — it explicitly bans or limits certain substance uses (e.g., azo dyes ≤30mg/kg). Blind products must comply with both simultaneously.

What plastic material compliance documents are needed for blind exports to the EU?

Key documents include: REACH SVHC test report (typically valid for one year), declaration that the four restricted phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP) are below 0.1% combined, lead-free formulation declaration for PVC products (calcium-zinc stabiliser, lead below 0.1%), RoHS declaration of conformity and test report for motorised products. Technical documentation must be retained for at least 10 years as required by the EU GPSR.

How long is a REACH SVHC test report valid?

Typically one year. Annual updates recommended because SVHC list updates twice yearly and new substances may be added.

What is California Prop 65 and does it apply to blinds?

Prop 65 requires warnings for products containing California-known carcinogens or reproductive toxins if exposure exceeds safe harbor levels. It applies to any product sold in California — practically all US importers must comply. Common chemicals in blinds: lead, cadmium, phthalates, formaldehyde, azo dyes.

What is the difference between UK REACH and EU REACH?

UK REACH is the UK's independent chemical regulation system after Brexit, managed by HSE. Initially aligned with EU REACH, but the UK maintains its own SVHC list and may independently update restrictions. Importers should monitor both lists as they may diverge over time.

Chemical Restrictions for Blinds: REACH SVHC, RoHS & Prop 65

Published 2026-08-17 · Last updated 2026-10-20 · 8 min read · 129 views

Chemical compliance for blinds comes down to three regimes, and they apply to different parts of the product. REACH covers the fabric and components in the EU, RoHS reaches only the motor and electronics on motorized blinds, and Prop 65 triggers a warning label for the US market. The factory supplies the test reports; the importer decides on notifications and warnings. Manual blinds carry no RoHS burden at all.

Key takeaways

REACH Annex XVII sets the enforceable limits: azo dye aromatic amines at or below 30 mg/kg and phthalates DEHP, DBP, BBP at or below 0.1% in products children may mouth. The SVHC list now runs past 230 substances and updates twice a year.
SVHC notification to ECHA is triggered only above 0.1% (w/w) in an article AND above 1 tonne per year. That filing sits with the importer; the factory supplies the data.
RoHS applies to motorized blinds only - lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE at or below 0.1%, cadmium at or below 0.01%, plus four phthalates at or below 0.1%. Manual blinds are fully exempt.
Prop 65 is a warning regime, not a ban. Lead, cadmium, phthalates, formaldehyde and azo dyes are the substances to watch; enforcement is private, up to $2,500 per product per day.

EU REACH: SVHC and Annex XVII

REACH is the EU's chemical management system. For blinds the practical points are the SVHC candidate list and the Annex XVII restrictions.

SVHCs are substances of very high concern - CMR, PBT and vPvB substances. The list updates twice a year and now runs past 230.
The ones that land in blind fabrics are azo dye aromatic amines, phthalates (DEHP, DBP, BBP), lead, cadmium, PFAS and formaldehyde release.
Annex XVII limits: azo dye aromatic amines at or below 30 mg/kg; phthalates DEHP, DBP and BBP at or below 0.1% in children's products; some PFAS already restricted.
If an article carries an SVHC above 0.1% (w/w) and the annual volume tops 1 tonne, notification to ECHA is required - the importer's filing.
Suppliers must pass SVHC information downstream through an SDS or article information.

From our side, REACH-related reports travel with EU orders. Our sunscreen fabric is built on a 30% polyester and 70% PVC composition, so the phthalate and lead reports for that PVC are the documents to ask for specifically.

EU RoHS: motors only

RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, which means only motorized blinds.

Manual blinds are fully exempt.
Limits: lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE at or below 0.1%; cadmium at or below 0.01%.
RoHS 2.0 added four phthalates - DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP - each at or below 0.1%.
Suppliers provide RoHS test reports for motors and control gear, a Declaration of Conformity and material composition lists.
Motorized products must also meet LVD and RED and bear the CE mark.

California Prop 65: warnings, not bans

Prop 65 applies to any product sold in California, or that may be resold into California. If a listed chemical is present above safe harbor levels, a clear and reasonable warning is required.

Common substances in blinds: lead in PVC coatings and metal fittings, cadmium in pigment stabilizers, phthalates as PVC plasticizers, formaldehyde from fabric resin finishing, azo dye aromatic amines.
Warnings on labels, packaging, catalogs or websites must be visible before purchase.
Enforcement is a private right of action - bounty-hunter suits - up to $2,500 per product per day.
The supplier provides chemical test reports; the importer decides whether exposure triggers a warning.

Who supplies what

Item	Responsibility	Notes
REACH SVHC / Annex XVII compliance	Supplier primary	Fabric and components meet limits; reports supplied.
REACH notification to ECHA	Importer	Triggered above 0.1% and 1 tonne/year.
RoHS testing	Supplier	Motorized products only; manual blinds exempt.
Prop 65 warning decision	Importer	Importer assesses exposure; supplier gives chemical data.
Chemical test reports	Supplier	Azo, phthalates, heavy metals, formaldehyde, PFAS; refreshed annually.

Bottom line

Ask for azo, phthalate and heavy-metal reports with every order; they cover REACH Annex XVII and Prop 65 at once. Reserve RoHS for motorized lines only. Notification to ECHA and Prop 65 warning decisions stay with the importer, who needs the data before setting policy - not after a shipment arrives.

For the plastic-specific limits behind PVC and sunscreen fabric, the plastic material restrictions guide goes deeper. The market-entry context sits in the EU compliance guide. If your line is the PVC-heavy sunscreen build, the sunscreen roller blinds page shows the composition.

Standards referenced here were checked against current obligations in October 2026.