The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment has evolved from a single European directive into a complex web of global regulations. For manufacturers and exporters, ensuring compliance across different markets is crucial but challenging. CIRS Testing offers a comprehensive, one-stop solution, providing expert RoHS testing and compliance services for all major international regulations, ensuring your products meet market access requirements worldwide.
A Complex Global Regulatory Landscape
RoHS regulations, while often similar, have key differences in their scope, restricted substances, and implementation timelines across various countries and regions. Our expertise covers the entire spectrum:
▶ EU RoHS
Regulation Name:
Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2011/65/EU & Amendment (EU) 2015/863)
Scope of Control:
11 categories of electrical and electronic products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices, monitoring and control instruments, automatic dispensers, and other EEE not covered by any of the previous categories.
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
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▶ UK RoHS
Regulation Name:
The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (SI 2012/3032)
Scope of Control:
11 categories of electrical and electronic products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices, monitoring and control instruments, automatic dispensers, and other EEE not covered by any of the previous categories.
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
▶ EAEU RoHS (Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia)
Regulation Name:
Technical Regulation on Restricting the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (EAEU TR 037/2016)
Scope of Control:
12 categories of products including household appliances and equipment, IT equipment, telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, office equipment, power tools (including musical), leisure and sports equipment, vending and gaming machines, cash handling equipment, cable products, protective switching devices (RCDs), fire and security detectors.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
Note: A draft amendment was released on October 25, 2021, currently in the public comment period. It proposes adding a 13th category: "Other Electrical and Electronic Equipment" and adding restrictions for four phthalates: DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP.
▶ Ukraine RoHS
Regulation Name:
Technical Regulation Decree No. 139-2017
Scope of Control:
11 categories of electrical and electronic products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices, monitoring and control instruments, automatic dispensers, and other EEE not covered by any of the previous categories.
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
▶ China RoHS
Regulation Name:
- Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products
- Opinions on the Implementation of the Nationally Unified Voluntary Certification Scheme for Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products
- Implementation Arrangement for the Conformity Assessment System for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products
Scope of Control:
All electrical and electronic products
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
Related Link
▶ Taiwan RoHS
Regulation Name:
Guidance for Reduction of the Restricted Chemical Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (CNS 15663)
Scope of Control:
9 categories of electrical and electronic products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, automatic dispensers, and other EEE not covered by any of the previous categories.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ Japan RoHS
Regulation Name:
Marking of the Specific Chemical Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (JIS C 0950:2021)
Scope of Control:
7 categories of products: personal computers, air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens, clothes dryers.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ Thailand RoHS
Regulation Name:
Electrical and Electronic Equipment Containing Hazardous Substances: Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (TIS 2368-2551)
Scope of Control:
8 categories of products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, automatic dispensers.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ Korea RoHS
Regulation Name:
Act on Resource Circulation of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles (Act No. 17848)
Scope of Control:
49 categories of electronic products and automobiles.
Restricted Substances:
49 categories of electronic products: Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
Automobiles: Four substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI)
▶ Singapore RoHS
Regulation Name:
Environmental Protection and Management Act (Amendment) (S263/2016)
Scope of Control:
6 categories of products: mobile phones, portable computers, refrigerators, air conditioners, flat-panel televisions, washing machines.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ Bangladesh RoHS
Regulation Name:
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2021
Scope of Control:
5 categories of products: household appliances, monitoring and control instruments, medical devices, automatic machines, IT and telecommunications equipment.
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
▶ Vietnam RoHS
Regulation Name:
E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2021 / Circular No. 30/2011/TT-BCT
Scope of Control:
9 categories of products: audio-visual equipment, vending machines, various tools, information, communication, and technology equipment, large household appliances, lighting equipment, small household appliances, sports equipment, toys.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ Turkey RoHS
Regulation Name:
Law on Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (No. 26891)
Scope of Control:
8 categories of products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, automatic dispensers.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ India RoHS
Regulation Name:
E-Waste Management Rules, 2016
Scope of Control:
Information technology and telecommunications equipment, consumer electrical and electronic products.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ UAE RoHS
Regulation Name:
UAE Regulation Concerning the Control of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (BoD Decision No. 10 of 2017)
Scope of Control:
11 categories of electrical and electronic products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices, monitoring and control instruments, automatic dispensers, and other EEE not covered by any of the previous categories (phased control).
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
▶ Saudi Arabia RoHS
Regulation Name:
Technical Regulation for Limits of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Scope of Control:
6 categories of products: household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, electrical tools, toys, entertainment and sports equipment, monitoring and control equipment.
Restricted Substances:
Six substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs
▶ Oman RoHS
Regulation Name:
Proposed mandatory enforcement of the EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU)
Scope of Control:
Telecommunications equipment and medical devices (Phase 1)
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
▶ GCC RoHS (United Arab Emirates, Kingdom of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Yemen)
Regulation Name:
Draft Technical Regulation on Limits of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
Scope of Control:
11 categories of electrical and electronic products including large household appliances, small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical devices, monitoring and control instruments, automatic dispensers, and other EEE not covered by any of the previous categories.
Restricted Substances:
Ten substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBBs, PBDEs, DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP
▶ RoHS Limits
Standard | Element | Chinese Name | Limit Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
RoHS 1.0 (Six Substances) | Pb | Lead | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) |
Cd | Cadmium | 0.01% (100 mg/kg) | |
Cr6+ | Hexavalent Chromium | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) | |
Hg | Mercury | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) | |
PBB | Polybrominated Biphenyls | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) | |
PBDE | Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) | |
RoHS 2.0 (Expand to Ten Substances) | DIBP | Diisobutyl phthalate | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) |
DEHP | Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) | |
DBP | Dibutyl phthalate | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) | |
BBP | Benzyl butyl phthalate | 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) |
▶ RoHS Hazardous Substance Substitution and Sources
Substance | Where is it used? | Substitution |
|---|---|---|
Lead (Pb) | Fuel additives, packaging components, plastic stabilizers and curing agents, dyes, pigments, solder, electronic ceramics, glass components, battery materials, etc. | Lead-free solder like Sn-Cu, Sn-Ag, or Sn-Ag-Cu |
Cadmium (Cd) | Batteries, photographic materials, surface treatment materials, solder, paints, dyes, electronic ceramics, glass components, plastic stabilizers, etc. | Silver Tin Oxide Indium Oxide (AgSnO2In2O3) to replace Silver Cadmium Oxide (AgCdO) |
Mercury (Hg) | Batteries, lamps, preservatives, catalysts, pigments, electrodes, plastic products, etc. | Rechargeable batteries like Ni-MH and Li-ion to replace mercury-containing batteries |
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) | Electroplating baths, rust inhibitors, tanning agents, catalysts, preservatives, pigments, etc. | Alkaline zinc plating to replace chrome plating or using non-plated parts |
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs) | Used as flame retardants in plastics (PE, ABS, HIPS, LDPE, Polyester). | Inorganic flame retardants like Magnesium Hydroxide, Aluminum Hydroxide, etc. |
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) | Used as flame retardants in plastics (PE, ABS, HIPS, LDPE, Polyester). |
Substance Name | Main Applications in Electrical and Electronic Equipment |
|---|---|
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) | Mainly used as a PVC plasticizer. PVC is used as an insulator in EEE, such as cables and wires. Small amounts of DEHP are used in other non-polymer applications, such as ceramics in electronics or electrolytes in capacitors. |
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) | Mainly used in combination with other plasticizers in PVC components such as cables, sockets, pipes, shock absorbers. Also used in some non-polymers like paints and glues. |
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) | Mainly used as a plasticizer in PVC flooring. In EEE, it might be found in synthetic leather, textile coatings, PVC materials, printing inks, sealants, and glues. |
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) | Used as a plasticizer for PVC, can be used as a substitute for DBP. Also used as a plasticizer for cellulose resins, vinyl resins, nitrile rubber, and neoprene. |
Our experts understand the common applications of these hazardous substances—from lead in solder and cadmium in pigments to phthalates in PVC plastics and cables—ensuring a thorough and targeted analysis.
Why Choose CIRS Testing for Global RoHS Compliance?
Unmatched Global Coverage: Simplify your supply chain compliance with our comprehensive RoHS solutions for every major regulation worldwide.
Technical Expertise and Insight: Beyond testing, we offer strategic guidance on substance substitution and help you anticipate regulatory changes, including EU RoHS list expansions.
Accredited Accuracy: Trust our internationally recognized test reports for market surveillance.
Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: Streamline your RoHS testing process with CIRS Testing to reduce administrative overhead and accelerate your time-to-market.
Ensure Compliance and Safety: Make sure your products are ready for the global marketplace.
If you need any assistance or have any questions, please get in touch with us via test@cirs-group.com.
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