RoHS Directive
TEC Eurolab's integrated service for RoHS Regulation.
TEC Eurolab offers its customers an integrated rohs analysis service to meet the requirements of ROHS regulations, ensuring that manufacturers, importers and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment can verify that concentrations of hazardous substances are within the limits set by RoHS regulations.
Directive 2011/65/EU + 2015/863/EU known as RoHS III (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) defines the rules regarding the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), with the aim of contributing to the protection of human health and the environment, including the proper recovery and disposal of EEE waste.
This legislation gives specific guidance on the use limit of the following substances in electrical and electronic equipment:
- Lead (Pb) – 0.1% MCVs
- Mercury (Hg) – 0.1% MCVs
- Cadmium (Cd) – 0.01% MCVs
- Chromium VI (Cr VI) – 0.1% MCVs
- Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) – 0.1% MCVs
- Polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDEs) – 0.1% MCVs
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) – 0.1% MCVs
- Benzylbutylphthalate (BBP) – 0.1% MCVs
- Dibutylphthalate (DBP) – 0.1% MCVs
- Diisobutylphthalate (DIBP) – 0.1% MCVs
The maximum permitted concentration values are 0.1% (1000ppm). For cadmium, the permitted limit is 0.01% (100ppm) by weight per homogeneous material.
The first version of the RoHS Directive, known as RoHS 1, was adopted in February 2003 and became mandatory on July 1, 2006. With the aim of reducing the environmental impact of these hazardous substances and improving the safety of electronic products for consumers, this first version prohibited the use of only six substances.
The RoHS II Directive (2011/65/EU) came into force on July 21, 2011 and replaced RoHS 1, introducing several changes:
- Expanded scope: RoHS 2 applies to a wider range of products, including medical devices and monitoring and control instruments.
- CE Marking: Products within the scope of RoHS 2 must be accompanied by the CE marking, which certifies compliance with the directive.
- Compliance Statement: Manufacturers must provide a compliance statement and maintain technical documentation to demonstrate that their products meet RoHS requirements.
- Responsibilities: Increased responsibilities for manufacturers, importers and distributors to ensure supply chain compliance.
Finally, the RoHS III Directive (2015/863/EU) adopted on March 31, 2015, further expanded the list of restricted substances, adding four new substances:
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Who is the ROHS regulation aimed at?
- Large appliances
- Small appliances
- Computer and telecommunications equipment
- Consumer equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Leisure and sports toys and equipment
- Medical Devices
- Monitoring and control instruments, including industrial monitoring and control instruments
- Vending machines
Other EEE not included in the categories listed above
TEC Eurolab's support for RoHS regulation.
TEC Eurolab offers its customers an integrated RoHS testing and analysis service to meet the requirements of ROHS regulations, ensuring that manufacturers, importers and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment can certify the compliance of their products.