*The RoHS Directive
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is a directive of the European Union (EU), which took effect July 1, 2006. Aimed at protecting health and environment, this directive mandates that electronics products sold in the EU must be essentially void of six hazardous substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and PBB and PBDE flame retardants. Since lead is present in virtually every solder joint and lead finish, these new regulations directly impact the entire supply chain of the electronics industry. Your company MUST conform to the RoHS standards if you export electrical and/or electronic equipment to the EU countries.
How Restricted Substances Are Used
| Restricted Chemical | Industrial Use |
| Lead (Pb) | Solder joints and lead finishes |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Cable sheathing, switches, springs |
| Hexavalent chromium(Cr6+) | Metal coatings for corrosion protection and wear resistance |
| Mercury (Hg) | Thermostats, Energy-saving lamps |
| Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) & Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) | Flame retardants added to printed circuit boards |
What Products Are Affected
The directive applies to household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, sports equipment, monitoring and control instruments.There are currently exemptions for medical equipment, military equipment, batteries, and spare parts. However, the future status of these exemptions is unclear. The exemptions may be withdrawn as safer materials are developed to replace the restricted substances in these products.
Your Responsibility
Under the RoHS Directive, producers of electrical and electronic products are responsible for self-declaring that products comply with the RoHS directives or obtaining material declarations or certificates from their suppliers. Although there are no standardized forms, these declarations need to state that materials, parts, and/or components may be used to produce RoHS compliant equipment. The authorities within the EU are conducting routine checks on products. If a product does not comply with the RoHS legislation, and producers cannot prove that they have taken reasonable steps to comply, authorities may ban the product from the EU and/or issue a penalty, including fines and/or imprisonment.
RoHS Outside the EU
Even if your company does not sell its products in the EU, your business will likely be affected by other similar developing legislation in California, Maine, New York and other US states, as well as China, Canada, Japan, Australia and other countries.
*This information is referenced from the Official RoHS Web Site. Please refer to RoHS for the most current and accurate information.