The RoHS Directive

The European Union has adopted Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), also known as the RoHS Directive.

The RoHS Directive’s key provision bans the use of six substances in EEE.

Lead
Mercury
Cadmium
Hexavalent chromium
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)

The RoHS Directive, however, authorizes the European Commission to adopt maximum concentration limits for the six restricted substances. Pursuant to such maximum concentration limits, EEE may contain the six restricted substances in concentrations not exceeding the maximum limits.

The Commission has adopted a limit of 0.1% by weight for all substances except cadmium, which is subject to a 0.01% limit. These limits are to be applied not to the whole EEE product, but to each homogeneous material separately.

Categories of electrical and electronic equipment covered by this Directive:

Large and small household appliances
IT and telecommunications equipment
Consumer equipment
Lighting equipment
Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
Toys, leisure and sports equipment
Automatic dispensers

Technical Information

Other information on the RoHS Directive:

There are some further exemptions from the RoHS substance restrictions. Importantly, an Annex to the RoHS Directive lists a series of exempted applications of restricted substances, which is regularly amended. There are limited exemptions for spare parts and reuse, and equipment that is part of other, non-EEE equipment or intended for military purposes.
Since the 1st of July 2008 the original restriction of the use of Deca-BDE in EEE applies again. In the present proposal, Deca-BDE remains included in the list of banned substances.

The RoHS Directive is currently being reviewed and it is expected that the revised directive will be implemented in 2011. It will include requirements for CE-Marking.

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The RoHS Directive

The RoHS Directive’s key provision bans the use of six substances in EEE.

Categories of electrical and electronic equipment covered by this Directive:

Other information on the RoHS Directive:

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