What is RoHS?
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, and refers to the EU directive restricting the employment of certain chemicals in electrical and electronic devices.
The idea of the directive is to stop the build up of toxic chemicals in electronic waste. This directive has been updated since it’s inception in 2002, and will likely be updated in future to meet new requirements.
RoHS (2015/863/EU)
What are the 10 substances in RoHS?
It currently restricts the use of 10 substances:
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
Their use is restricted to concentrations of 0.1% by weight, except cadmium which is restricted to 0.01%.
Is RoHS applicable in the UK? / Who is Affected by UK RoHS?
RoHS has been carried over into UK law, but with potential future divergence from the EU RoHS. This is because the UK is free to set up its own exemptions independent of the EU. All electronic or electrical products manufactured or imported are subject to the RoHS directive.
Is RoHS required in the EU?
RoHS is a directive from the EU affecting the EU single market.
What is RoHS certificate for?
A product with RoHS compliance is permitted for sale within the EU and UK markets.
How do you tell if a product is RoHS compliant?
A product is only permitted for sale in the EU and UK if it is RoHS compliant. This compliance is indicated as part of the usual CE marking.
What products are excluded from RoHS?
Excluded from RoHS
- Military equipment
- Aerospace equipment
- Most automotive equipment
- Large-scale stationary industrial tools and large-scale fixed installations
- Products still under research & development
- A few medical devices
- Photovoltaic panels
- Equipment specifically designed to be part of an excluded product
What is the RoHS symbol?
Compliance with RoHS is now indicated as part of the CE marking. The standalone RoHS symbol is no longer in use.
How does RoHS affect fasteners?
Electrical and electronic equipment usually include fasteners as part of their assembly, so an equipment manufacturer would need to know the materials involved when specifying these parts.
What is the difference between RoHS and REACH?
RoHS is aimed at manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment, whilst the scope of REACH is relevant to chemical manufacturers or importers. They both seek to restrict the proliferation of hazardous substances.
The Westfield Fasteners RoHS declaration is available upon request via email.
