Rapid technological development has increased the use of chemicals in electrical and electronic products. These substances, including heavy metals, can seriously harm human health and ecosystems if released into the environment.
In response to this risk, the European Union introduced measures in 2002 to regulate the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment.
Directive 2002/95/EC required products within its scope on the EU market to comply with RoHS requirements.
The recast Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS 2) was followed by
Directive 2015/863/EU, commonly referred to as RoHS 3, which amended Annex II to add further restricted substances.
SUBSTANCES RESTRICTED UNDER RoHS 3
• Cadmium (Cd): <100 ppm (0.01%)
• Lead (Pb): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Mercury (Hg): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): <1000 ppm (0.1%)
Manufacturers must demonstrate conformity with the applicable EU legislation and directives through the required testing and declarations before placing products on the market and to avoid customs difficulties.