The rise in the production and use of electrical and electronic products, such as mobile phones, computers and kitchen appliances, has resulted in an increasing volume of electrical and electronic waste. During the use, collection, treatment and disposal of such waste, products may release harmful (hazardous) substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium, which can cause major environmental and health problems.
To address such challenges, EU laws restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment through the RoHS Directive.In parallel, the WEEE Directive promotes the collection and recycling of such equipment.
The RoHS Directive currently restricts the use of ten substances: lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
All products with an electrical and electronic component, unless specifically excluded, have to comply with these restrictions.
In 2017, the Commission adopted a legislative proposal adjusting the scope of the RoHS Directive.
13 JANUARY 2021
FAQ key guidance document - RoHS
FAQs
The RoHS Directive currently restricts the use of ten substances: lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
What are the 10 restricted substances for RoHS? ›
RoHS is often referred to as the "lead-free directive", but it restricts the use of the following ten substances:
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
The Maximum Concentration Value (MCV) for heavy metals and flame retardants covered by RoHS are as follows: Lead (0.1 %) Mercury (0.1 %) Cadmium (0.01 %)
What are RoHS requirements? ›
Requirements: RoHS restricts the presence of specific hazardous substances, such as lead, mercury, and certain flame retardants, in EEE. Manufacturers must ensure that their products comply with these substance restrictions.
What is the RoHS directive 2024? ›
Directive (EU) 2024/232
The new directive includes an exemption for cadmium and lead in plastic profiles in electrical and electronic windows and doors containing recovered rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Directive 2024/232 went into effect on January 30, 2024, and the exemption expires on May 28th, 2028.
What are the versions of RoHS directive? ›
The RoHS and WEEE Directives
RoHS is the EU directive that regulates the 'Restriction of Hazardous Substances' in electrical and electronic equipment. Directive 2011/65/EU (“RoHS 2”) is the current version of the RoHS directive, that replaced the initial Directive 2002/95/EC (“RoHS 1”).
What substances are banned in RoHS 2? ›
RoHS 2 restricts the use of six hazardous substances (i.e., mercury, cadmium, lead, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and polybrominated biphenyls) in electrical and electronic equipment within a certain limit.
How do I know if my product is RoHS compliant? ›
RoHS Compliant Meaning: Directive 2011/65/EU and CE Marking
News for RoHS2 was the CE Marking. When you CE mark a product or if you see a CE mark on an electronic device, this means that the product is RoHS compliant.
What materials are RoHS compliant? ›
Products compliant with the RoHS 3 directive do not exceed the allowable amounts of the following restricted materials: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), as well as four phthalates of Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP), Benzyl Butyl ...
What is the US version of RoHS? ›
Although there isn't a RoHS regulation at the federal level, various US States have passed RoHS bills applicable to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
Excluded from RoHS
- Military equipment;
- Aerospace equipment;
- Most automotive equipment;
- Large-scale stationary industrial tools and large-scale fixed installations;
- Products still under research & development;
- A few medical devices;
- Photovoltaic panels;
- Equipment specifically designed to be part of an excluded product.
Based on https://www.rohsguide.com/, it seems that RoHS 2 and 3 would both be considered those subsequent amendments to RoHS. 2) "RoHS 3 adds four additional restricted substances (phthalates) to the list of six." So with this being Directive 2015/863, it builds upon the previous two, and in an additional amendment.
What is the new RoHS 3 directive? ›
RoHS 3 expands on the original list of RoHS banned substances and limits to include 4 new phthalates. As of 2023, all electrical and electronic devices should be compliant with the RoHS 3 directive if the end product will be sold in the EU.
What are the 10 elements of RoHS? ›
List of 10 RoHS Restricted Substances and the Limit
- Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm (0.01%)
- Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
- Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
- Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
How long is a RoHS certificate valid? A RoHS certification is valid for five years. However, early re-certification may be required if a product undergoes significant changes in design, raw materials or sourcing procedures.
What is the RoHS declaration? ›
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, is a product-level compliance regulation that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products (EEE) and originated in the European Union.
What is RoHS Directive EN 50581? ›
EN 50581 Technical documentation for the assessment of electrical and electronic products with respect to the restriction of hazardous substances - This European Standard specifies the technical documentation that the manufacturer needs to compile in order to declare compliance with the applicable substance ...
What is the RoHS Directive 2011 65? ›
The RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU prevents all new electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the market in the European Economic Area from containing lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, poly-brominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), except in certain specific applications, in ...
What is the RoHS Directive 2002 95? ›
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive was established by the European Union (E.U.). It affects manufacturers, sellers, distributors, and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment.
