To start with, what is RoHS compliant?

Restriction of Hazardous Substances, or RoHS, is a regulation that affects many electrical products as well as the entire electronics sector.

The European Union is the source of RoHs, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, which limits the use of certain hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products, or EEE. All applicable products in the EU market after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance.

For more information, continue reading.

What Is RoHS Compliant?

RoHs, or Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, is a product-level compliance standard based on Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Union. Products that adhere to this directive do not contain more of the restricted materials listed below than is permitted: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), with some restrictions.

Large household appliances (such as refrigerators) are included in the scope of this directive, which also applies to manufacturers, authorized representatives, importers, and distributors.), small household appliances (vacuum cleaners, etc.), computing & communications equipment, consumer electronics, lighting, power tools, toys and sports equipment (videogames, electric trains, etc.) and automatic dispensers (vending machines, ATM machines, etc.).

Organizations frequently use a letter of compliance signed by a company representative to demonstrate RoHS compliance. The products of an organization can be tested by independent third parties to see how much of the prohibited materials they contain.

What Are The Prohibited Materials That RoHS Requires?

The following elements are prohibited by RoHs: lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and four different phthalates (DEHP, BBP, BBP, DIBP).

Why Was RoHS Introduced?

Due to their beneficial qualities, such as the luminescence of radium or the low melting point of 60/40 lead-tin alloy, various chemicals and materials have been used in the production of electronics since the early 20th century. Unfortunately, it was later found that many of these substances were dangerous for both people and the environment. By limiting the use of these materials in the production of electronic equipment, RoHs aims to improve the welfare of consumers, distributors, manufacturers, and the environment.

RoHS aims to lessen the harm that electronic equipment causes to the environment and human health. The main goal of European legislation is to increase safety in electronics manufacturing throughout the entire life cycle of an electronic device.

Significance Of RoHs

The substances covered by the RoHS directive pose a threat to the environment, contaminate landfills, and put workers at risk of occupational exposure during production and recycling.

Reduced use of hazardous chemicals during the manufacturing of electronics makes RoHs compliance a natural fit with WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment). To put it another way, WEEE governs the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment, while RoHs governs the use of hazardous materials in such equipment.

RoHS Compliance

For hazardous materials used in electronic products, the European Union set a phase-out date of July 1, 2006. The European Commission decided on October 21, 2005, to ban the use of cadmium and cadmium compounds in electrical contacts. This choice was made because it is thought that using specific cadmium-containing materials and components is unavoidable.

Based on Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Union, RoHS is compliance at the product level. With some limited exceptions, products that comply with this directive must not contain more of the following restricted materials than is permitted.

Which Businesses Are Impacted By RoHS Directive?

If a company uses any of the prohibited materials, it could have an impact on any business that sells or distributes applicable EEE products, sub-assemblies, components, or cables directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors, or integrators who then sell products to EU countries. This simply no longer applies to EU countries since RoHs-like regulations have spread to a number of other nations.

When applying metal plating, anodizing, chromating, or any other finishes to connectors, heatsinks, or EEE components, RoHs also apply to the metal industry.

How Does RoHs 2 Differ From The Original RoHS?

In July 2011, the European Commission released RoHs 2, also known as the Recast RoHS 2 Directive 2011/65/EU. All electrical and electronic equipment, cables, and spare parts are now covered by the original RoHs, and compliance is required by July 22, 2019 or earlier depending on the product category.

RoHS 2 is also a CE-marking directive, with RoHs compliance now necessary for products to receive the CE mark. As a result, in order for their products to bear the CE mark, all electrical and electronic product manufacturers must adhere to RoHS 2. Since the CE mark now includes RoHs compliance, the original green RoHS label with the checkmark is no longer necessary or used.

Any product that falls under RoHs 1’s purview must not contain any of the six restricted substances, and any company (manufacturer, importer, or distributor) that places the product on the EU market must keep records to demonstrate compliance. Everybody involved in the supply chain must keep more records of compliance with RoHS 2. A conformity assessment, CE marking, maintaining compliance throughout production, and self-reporting of non-compliance can all be included in additional compliance recordkeeping (which must be kept for 10 years).

RoHs2 (2011/65/EU), which is the successor to the original RoHS Directive, only makes a few minor changes. The six substances that are currently prohibited have not been increased in number. Products that fall under RoHS categories 8 (medical devices) and 9 (control and monitoring instruments) have also been added. RoHS 2 became effective on January 2, 2013.

What And How Does RoHs 3 Differ From RoHS 2?

To the original list of six restricted substances (phthalates) cited in REACH law, RoHs 3, or Directive 2015/863, adds four more. Categorized 11 products are also added. As of 22 July 2019, RoHs3 is in effect.

What Is RoHS 5/6?

Lead (Pb) is the only restricted substance that does not meet the requirements of RoHS 5/6. In accordance with Annex III, lead is also exempt for a few more years in very specific applications for Categories 8 and 9. RoHS Annex III Lead Exemptions is where you can find more details.

How Do RoHS And Reach Connect?

REACH is a general regulation and stands for Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, Restriction of Chemicals, and addresses the production and use of chemical substances and their potential impact on human health and the environment. 197 Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) are currently covered by REACH, which is overseen by the ECHA. RoHS limits the materials found in electrical and electronic equipment (wiring, components, circuit boards, displays, sub-assemblies, cabling), whereas REACH regulates all chemicals that might be used to make the product, such as coatings, paints, solvents, and chemicals used during manufacturing.

The fact that all RoHs restricted substances are also on the REACH restricted list is noteworthy. A number of the substances on the list have been proven to be endocrine disruptors, carcinogens, mutagenic, toxic to reproduction, and bio-accumulative. See the REACH Restricted Substances List.

Connections Between RoHS And WEE 

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or WEEE, is referred to in this context. Electric and electronic equipment must be handled, recovered, and recycled according to WEEE, also known as Directive 2002/96/EC. All applicable products in the EU market after August 13, 2006 must pass comply with WEEE regulations and display the “Wheelie Bin” sticker. Encouraging the design of electronic products with safe recycling and recovery in mind is the goal of WEEE compliance. RoHS compliance integrates with WEEE by lowering the number of dangerous chemicals used in the production of electronics.

To put it another way, RoHs regulate the hazardous materials used in the production of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), whereas WEEE regulates how this equipment is disposed of. See WEEE Compliance for more details.

Connections Between The ELV Directive & RoHS

While the RoHS directive applies to a wide range of electrical and electronic products in numerous industries, the EU End of Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive focuses on automobiles. Transportation vehicles’ electrical cables, wiring, and related parts are covered by the ELV directive. Lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium use is restricted under this law, which went into effect on July 1, 2003.

XLP (cross-linked polyethylene) insulated automotive use wire, such as SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) types SXL, GXL, and TXL, generally complies with this directive. However, lead may be present in PVC-insulated automotive wire types like GPT, TWP, SGT, and SGX, which may make them non-compliant unless specifically requested in purchase specifications. See more about What Is Carbon Health?

RoHS Related To Conflict Minerals (T3&G)

mainly through a Full Materials Declaration (FMD). A RoHS, Reach, and Conflict Minerals (T3&G) declaration will frequently list all three together. Tantalum, tungsten, tin, and gold, also known as 3TG minerals if they come from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), are considered conflict minerals. Cobalt, which is used in the production of electric vehicle batteries, is also mined in the DRC. To meet this demand, cobalt mining is anticipated to increase significantly. The origin of conflict minerals must be disclosed to the SEC by all publicly traded companies in accordance with the Dodd-Frank Act.

Do Batteries Fall Under RoHS?

No. The EU Battery Directive (2006/66/EC and Amendment 2013/56/EU) applies to all batteries, regardless of type or application. The Battery Directive limits the use of cadmium to 0.002%, lead to 0.004%, and mercury to 0.0005% (medical devices/equipment, alarm/emergency systems are exempt from the cadmium restriction).

NOTE: Batteries ARE covered by the China RoHS regulations. Given the size of the battery pack, this has special effects on the market for electric vehicles.

Whether Rfid Tags Are Covered By RoHS

Yes, RoHs apply to both passive and active RFIDs. Packaging falls under Category 3 in this situation. It falls under the umbrella of the parent device when RFID tags are affixed to equipment or devices permanently.

Do Printer Cartridges Fall Under RoHS?

ONLY IF THE CARTRIDGE CONTAINS ELECTRICAL PARTS THAT NEED ELECTRIC CURRENTS OR EMFIELDS TO WORK Do not use printer cartridges that only contain ink and a container—they must also contain electrical components.

How Are HIPAA & RoHs Related?

HIPAA has specific compliance requirements for the healthcare sector. You must also be HIPAA certified in accordance with the Security Rule if you manufacture EEP for the healthcare sector. Not only does this apply to medical devices, but also to office equipment such as scanners, printers, hard drives, hardware security modules (HSM), smart-card readers, network devices, paper shredders, media degaussers, and hard drive “Destroyers” that bend, break, and mangle decommissioned hard drives. 

Connection Between RoHs & The Cannabis Sector

The associated consumable vape carts (vaporizer cartridges) have been found to contain relatively high levels of lead (Pb), a restricted substance, even though e-cigarettes, cannabis vape pens, and other electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products are manufactured to be RoHS-compliant. This also holds true for other electronic devices like electronic diffusers and nebulizers that heat up a substance that can be inhaled. Testing facilities are starting to detect traces of other heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, barium, silver, selenium, iron, manganese, nickel, and zinc in all of these products.

How Do Your Staff Be Trained To Support RoHS Compliance?

The topic at hand is crucial. Mobile devices, the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) components, machine vision systems, wireless cameras, robots, Alexa, smart homes, gaming, 3D printing, medical wearables, green technology, cloud datacenter equipment, and the cabling for all of these are contributing to an exponential increase in the world’s digitalization and electronification. In the case of food, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices, these may also be subject to additional regulations beyond REACH, RoHS, and WEEE.

The workforce must continually improve its knowledge, skills, and abilities. In order to meet your specific needs, think about spending money on a cutting-edge, online, customizable learning management system (LMS). Workplace Training Software for RoHs is a good resource for more information.

For 2022, Is Your Organization RoHS Compliant?

If a company uses any of the prohibited 10 substances, it may not sell any applicable electrical or electronic products, equipment, sub-assemblies, cables, components, or spare parts to RoHs-directed nations or to resellers, distributors, or integrators who then sell products to those nations.

The production of electrical and electronic devices is soaring globally as a result of digitization’s quick spread. Think about the upcoming wave of IoT, smart home assistants, robots, drones, 3D printers, and home medical devices that will reach every corner of the globe in addition to mobile devices…they are all regulated under RoHS.

The following 10 restricted substances have maximum levels specified by EU RoHS. The initial six were in accordance with RoHs, while the final four were added in accordance with RoHS 3, which became effective on July 22, 2019.

• Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm
• Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm
• Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm
• Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm
• PBBs, or polybrominated biphenyls: < 1000 ppm
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm
• Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm

WEEE, or Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment, is associated with RoHS. 90% of electrical and electronic equipment ends up in landfills, so the WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC requires its treatment, recovery, and recycling. The “Wheelie Bin” sticker and WEEE compliance must be present on all applicable products sold in the EU.

The End

Consider who made the part, who was exposed to hazardous materials during its production, and the part’s life cycles the next time you want to buy a non-RoHS component. You shouldn’t automatically buy something because it’s inexpensive.

Even if you take the necessary health and safety precautions, there is no guarantee that the end user will do the same because they might not be aware of the threat.

I’d like to thank you for reading.