The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012

The RoHS Regulation aims to prevent the risks posed to human health and the environment related to the management of electronic and electrical waste.

It does this by restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in EEE that can be substituted by safer alternatives.

The RoHS Regulations have been amended several times and has transposed the requirements of Directive (EU) 2017/2102, extending the scope of the regulations. The latest RoHS amended that came into effect on 22st July, 2019 added another x 4 harmful elements (Phthalates) bringing the total to 10.

RoHS 2 prohibited/restricted:

• Lead (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Cadmium (100ppm or 0.01%)
• Mercury (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Hexavalent chromium (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Polybrominated biphenys (PBBs) (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (1,000ppm or 0.1%)

The (EU) 2015/863/EU amending RoHS 2 prohibits/restricts:

• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Dibutyl phtalate (DBP) (1,000ppm or 0.1%)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (1,000ppm or 0.1%)

The above restriction thresholds are at the homogeneous material level and not at the article level. The restrictions are on each homogeneous material in the product, which means that the limits do not apply to the weight of the finished product, or even to a component, but to any single material that could (theoretically) be separated mechanically – for example, the sheath on a cable or the tinning on a component lead.

Examples of “homogeneous materials” are individual types of: plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, alloys, paper, board, resins, and coatings.

There is Notified Body involvement regarding compliance with the RoHS Directive and it the manufacturer’s responsibility to ensure compliance.

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