RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. It is a directive that originated in the European Union and restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The directive aims to eliminate dangers to human health and the environment associated with the handling of electronic and electrical waste. RoHS compliance is important because the restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and pollute landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.
Here are some key points about RoHS compliance:
- RoHS compliance means that a product has been tested for 10 banned substances by an independent authority, and that the tests confirmed levels of the substances below the RoHS threshold.
- The 10 substances restricted under RoHS 3, the latest version of the RoHS directive, 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) .
- Certain product categories and applications are currently exempt from RoHS compliance, such as various types of military, industrial, scientific, renewable energy, and medical equipment. Spare parts for equipment placed on the market before July 1, 2006, are also generally exempt from RoHS.
- Companies must gather data from their supply chain to demonstrate compliance with the RoHS Directive. This necessitates ongoing communication with suppliers to get substance data on parts at the homogeneous material level. Companies can acquire RoHS compliance certifications from their suppliers for parts used in the final product or equipment to reduce the burden of compliance.
- 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 manufacturing processes.
In summary, RoHS compliance is a product-level compliance regulation that restricts the use of specific hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It aims to eliminate dangers to human health and the environment associated with the handling of electronic and electrical waste. Companies must gather data from their supply chain to demonstrate compliance with the RoHS Directive, and RoHS certification is valid for five years.
