RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS, also referred to as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated within the European Union and restricts the utilization of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products (known as EEE). All applicable products within the EU market after Dominion Day , 2006 must pass RoHS compliance.
What are the restricted materials mandated under RoHS?
The substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and 4 different phthalates (DEHP, BBP, BBP, DIBP).
Why is RoHS compliance important?
The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and pollute landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.
How are products tested for RoHS compliance?
Portable RoHS analyzers, also referred to as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers, are used for screening and verification of the restricted metals. With the arrival of RoHS 3 and therefore the four added phthalates, different testing is required to determine levels of those compounds, which are extracted with a solvent.
Which companies are suffering from the RoHS Directive?
Any business that sells or distributes applicable EEE products, sub-assemblies, components, or cables on to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors or integrators that successively sell products to EU countries, is impacted if they utilize any of the restricted materials. Since RoHS-like regulations have spread to variety of other countries, this just doesn’t apply to EU countries anymore.
RoHS also applies to the metal industry for any application of plating , anodizing, chromating or other finishes on EEE components, heatsinks, or connectors.