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A guide to RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU)

The European Union (EU) Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive was initially designed to minimize products’ harmful impact on human health and the environment. The RoHS restrictions Originally six substances, now ten are restricted for use in electrical or electronic equipment sold within Europe, with an aim that these items will be safer than their counterparts without such limitations.
The main goal behind this measure is to reduce risks associated with personal injury and severe environmental damage like global warming due to potential leaks from hazardous waste sites.

RoHS 1 (2002/95/EC)

The European Union has created an extensive list of restricted hazardous materials not allowed in products. The first six substances on this list had thresholds as high at 0.1%, except for cadmium, which is limited to only 1%. This means if any product containing one or more of these listed elements exists over its permitted threshold, then it cannot commerce within Europe unless they take advantage of some particular exemptions such as ones explicitly given by law.

RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU)

The original version of the RoHS Directive was revoked and replaced in 2013. This new law contains expanded lists for exemptions and other requirements that businesses must follow if they want their products or business practices approved – including having technical files ready at all times so authorities can examine them when requested.

How to Know If You’re RoHS Compliant?

When a company wants to know if they are compliant with the European Union RoHS Directive, the first thing that needs checking is which substances have been restricted by this law. This will allow you as an individual or business owner time to research your specific needs without getting caught up in something inappropriate like lead-based paint.

EU RoHS Restricted Substances

The EU RoHS Directive restricts ten substances. 

1. Lead (Pb).
2. Mercury (Hg).
3. Cadmium (Cd).
4. Hexavalent chromium (chromium VI, Cr+6).
5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB).
6. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
7. Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).
8. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).
9. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
10. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).

Scope of the EU RoHS Directive

RoHS 2002/95/EC has an expanded scope of products and imposes new obligations on EEE manufacturers regarding preparing the EU Declaration of Conformity and placing CE marking onto finished products. The latter was included in its regulation because the original RoHS Directive didn’t have any formal markings requirements for illustrating compliance, which brought many companies to design their own symbols issue version, “Declaration Of conformance.”

Several types of products are also excluded from the RoHS Directive

1. This includes equipment necessary for protecting vital interests, including arms and munitions intended specifically in a military context.
2. Equipment designed for space travel
3. Equipment that is designed, manufactured, and marketed as part of another construction or industrial equipment that does not fall within the scope of this Directive. It can fulfill its function only if installed on this machine; replacement would require specialized installation work done by professionals trained in their use of equipment designed for space travel.
4. Large-scale stationary industrial tools
5. Large-scale fixed installations
6. Means of transport, excluding electric two-wheel vehicles that are not type-approved
7. Non-road mobile machinery
8. Implantable medical devices
9. Photovoltaic panels are an essential part of the solar energy industry. They assist in production for public, commercial, and industrial uses and residential applications.
10. The latest equipment for research and development is designed specifically to help you develop your idea into a successful product.

Products must include in the RoHS Directive

1. Household appliances
2. Communications equipment
3. Lighting equipment
4. Consumer Equipment
5. Electronic tools
6. Dispensers
7. Sports equipment
8. Medical devices

Obligations of manufacturers

When it comes to the EU market, any electrical and electronic equipment manufacturer who wants their products placed has several legal obligations. These laws were created with fairness in mind so that all companies could compete against one another without having an unfair advantage because they followed some guidelines better than others.

1. We carry out our in-house testing and third-party assessment to ensure that the product’s design and manufacturing comply with RoHS 2011/65/EU.
2. Have a well-thought-out production control system to ensure your equipment is always in compliance with all regulations and keep it that way by checking the status every few months.
3. Create a “technical file.”
4. The company has to achieve a complete conformity assessment according to the regulations.
5. To ensure that your products are safe to use, you must keep technical documentation for ten years, including the Declaration of Conformity.
6. The equipment must have a serial or type number to be easily identified.
7. The production of your product should be compliant throughout its life cycle.
8. Get your name or company’s logo on products and packages, so customers will know what they’re buying.
9. Companies need to ensure that they have removed any non-compliant equipment from the market and taken corrective action to comply with regulations.

Obligations of authorized representatives

All authorized representatives must be established within the EU borders, can either sub-contractors or agents for example; they are people whom manufacturers have given a written mandate based inside or outside this European Union to carry out specific administrative tasks related to placing electrical equipment on their market place such as keeping technical files, etc., The Legal Obligations of These REPs are as follows:

1. Ten years after a product is placed on the market, it must be held up to specific standards to continue being sold.
2. Fully cooperate with authorities, stakeholders and consumers to ensure product compliance.
3. Collaborating with the national leaders.

Obligations of importers

Importers have a legal obligation to ensure that they import products in compliance with European Union law. This means following the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU, which was created to protect human health and environmental safety for imported electrical or electronic equipment into either region.

1. The company should place all of its electrical equipment in compliance with the RoHS requirements.
2. The compliance officer ensures that the manufacturer has completed essential tasks.
3. To protect their trade name or trademark, companies must indicate on products and packaging where they’re from.
4. Informing local authorities and manufacturers of any non-compliance, taking immediate measures to ensure that the product becomes compliant before placing it on the EU market;
5. When a product’s compliance is questioned, companies must respond promptly and accurately.
6. The product’s technical file and Declaration of Conformity must be stored for ten years after being introduced into the European Union market.

Obligations of distributors

When it comes to the EU market, many different people make electrical and electronic equipment available. A distributor can be anyone that sells these products- whether they’re a wholesaler or retailer of some kind! The legal obligations for RoHS regulations among distributors are as follows:

1. To ensure that your products comply with all applicable regulations, it is essential to verify the CE mark affixation on them and their type and batch/serial number. It would be best to make sure any required documentation accompanies these items when exporting or importing goods into another country for sale–good practice would be to use software like weldingEDR, which can help you do this quickly and easily.
2. To make sure the product is safe, you must verify that its manufacturer’s trade name or trademark and address are on it as well. If an importer has been associated with importing goods into your country, they should also be able to provide proof of ownership for this information!
3. The company has to withdraw or recall any non-compliant products already placed on the European Union market.
4. Inform the national authorities and manufacturer or importer of any non-compliance.
5. The company has a strict policy to ensure that any equipment that is not compliant with RoHS regulations will be disposed of immediately.
6. It is critical to comply with national authorities’ requests for information when the product’s compliance status is in question to avoid unnecessary delays and costs.

Cases in which obligations of manufacturers apply to importers and distributors

To avoid any confusion, the Member States should ensure that an importer or distributor who places EEE on their market is considered a manufacturer under this Directive. He will be subject to all obligations accorded by law, including compliance with manufacturers’ requirements.

Penalties

The Member States shall lay down the rules on penalties applicable to infractions of this Directive and take all measures necessary for their implementation. The fines provided must be effective, proportionate, dissuasive, and notify Commission by January 2, 2013, any subsequent amendment affecting them; after that, they are bound without delay.

RoHS Compliance FAQ

1.  Why is RoHS compliance substantial? 

These hazardous materials are dangerous to the environment and pollute landfills. They can also be harmful in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing, recycling, or handling these products without proper precautions; therefore, we must take care not only for our health but others who might come into contact with them as well

2.  How are RoHS and REACH related?

REACH addresses the production and use of chemical substances their potential impact on human health. The regulation is monitored by ECHA, which deals with SVHCs currently-RoHS restricts specific electrical/electronic equipment, but REACH controls all other manufactured goods, including enclosures, bracket coatings, etc…

3.  What is RoHS 2, and how does it differ from the original RoHS?

The European Commission has expanded the scope of RoHS, or Reproduction of Hazardous Substance authorized by July 22, 2019, for all electrical/electronic equipment and spare parts with compliance requirements.

Sources:

https://ec.europa.eu/environment/topics/waste-and-recycling/rohs-directive_en