Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

Conformité Européenne (logo)

Car charger, 2 automobile auxiliary power outlets and 2 USB sockets-9827

RoHS-2

WEEE 2

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) is a set of regulations adopted by the European Union (EU) to limit the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The directive, which is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), aims to protect human health and the environment by reducing the exposure to dangerous substances.

Overview

The RoHS directive initially came into force on 1 July 2006 and has undergone several updates and revisions to include more substances and to cover a wider range of products. The directive restricts the use of ten hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. These materials are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).

Scope and Applicability

The RoHS directive applies to a broad spectrum of products, including but not limited to household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, and sports equipment. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of EEE within the EU must ensure their products comply with RoHS standards before placing them on the market.

Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance with the RoHS directive is mandatory for companies wishing to sell their electronic products within the EU. To comply, products must be tested to ensure they do not contain any of the restricted substances above the allowed levels. Manufacturers must also maintain technical documentation demonstrating compliance and affix the CE marking to their products.

Enforcement of the RoHS directive is carried out by individual EU member states, and penalties for non-compliance can include fines and the withdrawal of non-compliant products from the market.

Revisions and Updates

The RoHS directive has been revised multiple times since its introduction. One significant update, RoHS 2, was adopted in 2011 and included a broader scope of products, a CE marking requirement, and improved conformity assessment procedures. RoHS 3, or Directive (EU) 2015/863, added four new restricted substances (DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP) to the list, effective July 2019.

Global Impact

The principles of the RoHS directive have influenced similar regulations outside the EU, including in countries like China, South Korea, and the United States (specifically in California). These regulations aim to reduce the environmental and health impacts of hazardous substances in electronic equipment, promoting the use of safer alternatives.

See Also

• Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive
• Environmental regulation
• Electronic waste
• Hazardous substances

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