Article (REACH Definition)

Under REACH Article 3(3), an ‘article’ is an object which during production is given a special shape, surface or design which determines its function to a greater degree than does its chemical composition. Articles include manufactured products such as electronic components, furniture, textiles, vehicles, and toys. Substances or mixtures intentionally released from articles during use (e.g., printer ink cartridges) are subject to article notification obligations if they meet SVHC thresholds.

REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 3(3); ECHA Guidance on Requirements for Substances in Articles.

The REACH article definition is critical because it determines which SVHC obligations apply. The CJEU (Case C-106/14) confirmed that the 0.1% w/w SVHC threshold applies at the level of each individual article within a complex assembled product, not at the level of the assembled whole. Importers and manufacturers of multi-component products must apply the 0.1% threshold per component article.