EU RoHS certification

Introduction to ROHS Certification

RoHS certification is the abbreviation of The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment. ROHS certification, also known as environmental protection certification, is in line with European and American standards. It stipulates that the EU will prohibit imports of hazardous heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated diphenyl ethers and polybrominated biphenyls in electrical and electronic products from 1 July 2006.

Introduction to ROHS Directives

On January 27, 2003, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union adopted Directive 2002/95/EC, namely the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS Directive). The basic contents are as follows: Since July 1, 2006, the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) has been restricted in the new electronic and electrical equipment products on the market. Since the RoHS Directive was issued, it has become a formal law within the scope of the EU since February 13, 2003; before August 13, 2004, EU member states have been converted into their own laws/regulations; on February 13, 2005, the European Commission reviewed the scope of the Directive and formulated additional items of banned substances list taking into account the development of new science and technology; After July 1, 2006, the EU market will formally prohibit the sale of products with excessive content of six substances.

Latest ROHS Directive

On July 1, 2011, the EU issued the latest ROHS Directive 2011/65/EU, updating the previous 2002/95/EC Directive.

Compared with the original instruction, the main differences between the 2011/65/EU instruction and the original RoHS instruction (2002/95/EC) are as follows:

1. Expanding the scope of products, covering all electronic and electrical products within the scope of command control (including cables and spare parts), adding Category 8 products "medical equipment" and Category 9 products "monitoring and control equipment including industrial monitoring and control equipment". The transition period of medical equipment, surveillance and control equipment is 22 July 2014, that of external diagnostic medical equipment is 22 July 2016, and that of industrial monitoring and control equipment is 22 July 2017. In addition, 20 exemptions are given for these two types of products.

2. Some definitions have been clarified and the definition of "manufacturer" has been deleted. The definitions of "manufacturer", "authorized representative", "importer" and "seller" have been added, and their responsibilities have been clearly defined. At the same time, it is stipulated that manufacturers and importers must continue to fail to meet the requirements of the instructions and recall electronic telegrams. The gas products are registered and relevant information is transmitted to the sellers.

3. The scope of controlled substances has not been expanded and the original limit requirements of six substances have been maintained. However, it is proposed that hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD), di (ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl phenyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) should be considered in the future review process. Such substances should be investigated first to pave the way for the enlargement of the scope of substances under control in the future.

4. CE Marking and Conformity Statement. Before EEE products are put on the market, manufacturers/importers/sellers need to ensure that relevant assessments have been made in accordance with the conformity assessment procedure of Module A in Appendix II of 768/2008/EC, and CE marking must be affixed to the final product. Its relevant technical documents and EU compliance declarations need to be retained for at least 10 years. The template for conformity declaration is given in Appendix VI of the instruction.

This Directive will enter into force on the 20th day of its promulgation. Member States need to translate it into their own laws by January 2, 2013. The revised provisions listed in the 2002/95/EC Directive and Part A of Appendix VII of this Directive will be abolished on January 3, 2013.