Material Compliance: Transparency in complex supply chains and confidence in handling regulatory material requirements.

Material Compliance

Providing transparent material information throughout the supply chain is essential for manufacturers, importers, suppliers, and distributors. Managing precise data in global supply chains is particularly complex and requires rapid adaptation to new technologies in order to meet current and future standards. Constant updates to applicable regulations further complicate compliance—and non-compliance can result in legal consequences.

Material Compliance as Part of Holistic Product Responsibility

Material compliance ensures that the materials used in products meet all legal, environmental, and safety-related standards, such as REACH, RoHS, or conflict minerals regulations. This includes tracking, reporting, and verifying the material composition to avoid hazardous substances and ensure legal and ethical sourcing.

Material compliance is essential for the production and market placement of legally compliant products, as it requires adherence to regulations such as the REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006 (EU chemicals regulation) and the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (restriction of hazardous substances).

EFS Consulting Service Portfolio in the Context of Material Compliance

EFS Consulting provides solutions for both material and chemical compliance, helping companies meet requirements and address challenges. It is not only about meeting today’s standards but also being prepared for future changes.

Through tailored tools, EFS enables efficient compliance verification of materials in products according to various chemical regulations. In a thorough, multi-phase process, EFS helps companies provide transparent material information within complex supply chains, avoid legal risks, and promote sustainable practices. Customized solutions, dedication to client needs, and the expertise of EFS compliance specialists have already helped leading manufacturers meet international material standards.

The Following Areas of Material Compliance are Covered by EFS

Compliance Awareness Check
Material Compliance Management System
Task Force
Product Composition Review
Early Warning System
Regulatory Analyses
Safety Data Sheets
REACH Compliance

1. Material Compliance Awareness Check

Have you heard of material compliance? Think it doesn’t affect your business? Are you certain your products don’t contain restricted or banned substances? Have you taken steps to address material compliance in your organization?

Let EFS Consulting assess your organization’s awareness of material compliance. Our experts ask the right questions to identify whether all regulatory and organizational requirements are being met and whether your company is prepared for future compliance challenges.

This service evaluates your company’s understanding and preparedness regarding regulations like REACH, RoHS, and conflict minerals. We assess awareness among key personnel, identify knowledge gaps, and provide tailored recommendations. The service reduces risk, strengthens compliance, and supports responsible sourcing practices.

EFS Consulting Services:

Status quo analysis
Review of processes, roles, documentation, and technical solutions
Risk assessment
Identification of compliance gaps
Support in implementing missing compliance measures

2. Material Compliance Management System

Managing material compliance is a challenge for many companies. It involves gathering and tracking data from numerous suppliers and maintaining documentation and evidence for regulatory compliance. Companies must also define roles and responsibilities to ensure all requirements are fulfilled.

Monitoring regulatory updates and managing information about material restrictions is just as critical as implementing a structured and up-to-date compliance system. EFS Consulting supports clients in implementing effective and reliable material compliance management systems.

EFS Consulting Services:

Requirements management
Document management
Definition of roles and responsibilities
Internal and external communication management
Material inventory tracking
Software tools

3. Task Force

Communication across the supply chain is a key component of material compliance. Companies need to know (and sometimes report) which substances are in their products, and for that, they rely on suppliers.

EFS Consulting helps manage and optimize supplier communication to ensure compliance with regulations like REACH, RoHS, and conflict minerals. We assist in defining compliance requirements, data collection processes, and efficient reporting frameworks. The result: improved transparency, better data accuracy, and minimized compliance risks.

EFS Consulting Services:

Supplier communication and management support
Operational procurement of compliance documentation (e.g., SDS, material data sheets, supplier declarations)
Data verification and validation
Stakeholder management

4. Product Composition Review

EFS experts check whether material compliance is effectively addressed in your organization and whether all requirements are known and also analyze product portfolios at the component level to identify potential restricted or banned substances.

EFS Consulting Services:

Screening for restricted/banned substances (REACH, RoHS, CalProp65, TSCA…)
Substance data management
Labeling requirement checks
Compliance level assessment
Action plan development

5. Early Warning System

Substance and chemical regulations are constantly changing – with new substance restrictions and shifting threshold limits. In addition, more countries are introducing stricter regulations.

With EFS Consulting’s Early Warning System, you stay ahead of regulatory changes. All relevant updates are detected early, assessed, and seamlessly integrated into your processes before they become risks.

EFS Consulting Services:

Development and operation of early warning systems
Identification of new/updated global regulations
Initial assessments and analysis
Reports and newsletters

6. Regulatory Analyses

To ensure compliance, companies need a clear understanding of chemical legislation and regulations. EFS Consulting’s multilingual expert team provides legal analysis and guidance to help clients meet chemical compliance obligations.

EFS Consulting Services:

Regulatory overviews
Detailed legal analysis and interpretation
Product applicability review
Impact assessments
Clarification of specific cases
Recommendations for action
Legal comparisons

7. Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Safety data sheets (SDS) are essential for gathering information on chemicals, including compounds and mixtures. Although SDS requirements are largely harmonized globally through the GHS (Globally Harmonized System), national differences pose challenges.

EFS Consulting Services:

Creation and maintenance of compliant SDS
Compliance checks
Review of national requirements
Monitoring of regulatory adherence
Classification and labeling

8. REACH Compliance

REACH Regulation No. 1907/2006 is one of the most complex EU laws. Companies must register chemicals, report substances of very high concern (SVHCs), communicate SVHCs throughout the supply chain, apply for authorizations, and more.

REACH, RoHS & others pose complex demands – EFS Consulting supports you in staying compliant, reducing risk, and ensuring supply chain transparency.