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Restrictions on Hazardous Substances Directive
Restrictions on Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS Directive)
The main objective of the RoHS Directive is the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, for the protection of human health and environmentally sound recovery and disposal of waste. The Directive applies to all equipment operating up to 1000 VAC and 1500 VDC and contained in a list of 8 categories including electric bulbs and luminaries in households. There are currently no restrictions on medical devices and control and monitoring equipment.
| Equipment category | |
| Large household appliances | Lightning equipment |
| Small household appliances | Electrical and electronic tools |
| IT and telecommunication equipment | Toys, leisure and sport equipment |
| Consumer equipment | Automatic dispensers |
The use of the following substances is restricted or its application prohibited.
| Substance | Application |
| Lead (Pb) | Solder, power cords, wired, plastics, component finish |
| Mercury (Hg) | Switch, LCD monitor, relays, bulbs |
| Cadmium (Cd) | Power cords, wires, contact points |
| Hexavalent chromium (CrVl) | Surface treatment of enclosures |
| Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) | Plastics, printed circuit boards |
| Polybrominated Diphenyl ether(PBDE) | Plastics, rubber, printed circuit boards |
| Date | Schedule |
| February 13, 2003 | Directive published in Official Journal of EU |
| August 13, 2004 | Member states implement national regulations |
| February 13, 2005 | Commission to review scope of Directive |
| July 1, 2006 | Electrical and electronic equipment must comply with Directive |
Obligations of manufacturers
All equipment, falling in one of the 8 categories, entering the EU from 1 July 2006 must be free of above substances or its application within the limits or exemptions set out in the annex to the Directive. Medical devices and monitor and control instruments are currently excluded from the Directive. For appliances containing a large number of materials, it is not economically feasible to test all materials and components of single appliance.
TÜV Rheinland Services
- RoHS testing and certification service for components and raw materials
- RoHS testing and certification service for appliance
- Factory and supplier assessment and certification (ISO 14000 based)
- Support in establishing material/composition declaration for components and parts
- Raw material or component supplier 3rd party assessment
- Pre-compliance testing of components and materials
- Support in Design for Recycling (DfR)
- Support in Design for Dismantling (DfM)
- Support in Design for Environment (DfE)
- Inhouse training and consulting on RoHS Directive