RoHS

Consulting, software and operational support for manufacturers, importers and distributors of electrical and electronic divices

RoHS Platine

Consulting, Software and Services for RoHS-compliant products

What is RoHS?

RoHS (or RoHS 2) is the European Directive 2011/65/EU, which restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

The regulated substances include lead, cadmium, chromium (VI), mercury, the brominated flame retardants PBB and PBDE, as well as—since 2019—the four phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP, added as restricted substances under the “RoHS 3” amendment.

The Directive also contains two exemption catalogues (Annex III and Annex IV), which permit the continued use of these substances under clearly defined conditions. Each exemption has a validity period specified in Article 5.

The German transposition of RoHS 2 is the ElektroStoffVerordnung. In addition, further international “RoHS‑type” legislation exists in China, California, Korea, India and Turkey.

Obligations for manufacturers, importers, and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment

Manufacturers of electrical and electronic components and equipment must have precise knowledge of the materials used in their products in order to meet the diverse and dynamic requirements related to substance restrictions.

To demonstrate RoHS conformity, the following requirements must be implemented

  • Compliance with the specified substance ban

  • Preparation of technical documentation

  • Issue of an EU Declaration of Conformity

RoHS Software DataCross

We developed the DataCross software to make supplier communication easier and more efficient. With DataCross you can automatically request information on the material compliance of your products from your suppliers, evaluate it and archive it centrally. The DIN EN IEC 63000 bzw. 50581, an officially recognized standard, constitutes an implementation aid for creating technical documentation and ensuring substance restrictions such as RoHS. In DataCross these VDE standard requirements are covered extensively with regard to the required communication and documentation process.

DataCross contains further substances-related environmental and OSaH regulations for substance-specific enquiries at the supplier. Furthermore, it is possible to make risk assessments as well as checking products and articles against various rules.

RoHS-Software DataCross

Our services for your RoHS compliance

RoHS risk analyses

Evaluation of suppliers, components, and materials with regard to their material compliance risk.

Classification into hazard categories and derivation of priorities for further measures.

Process Integration

Workshops for integrating RoHS requirements into existing company processes.

Definition of operational measures and allocation of resources.

RoHS Data Service & Supplier Communication

Research, creation and verification of material data.

Communication with suppliers and customers, data entry into systems such as DataCross or internal tools

Chemical analyses and substitution programs

RoHS Compliance Certificates

Requesting all relevant information from suppliers.

Drawing up a certificate confirming the RoHS compliance of the products.

RoHS Trainings & Workshops

Providing information on legal principles and obligations.

Raising employee awareness and pointing out the possible consequences of non-compliance.

Complete RoHS coordination

Providing an external material compliance coordinator.

Fulfilment of all RoHS obligations within the company.

Understanding global requirements –
from China RoHS to IEC 63000

China RoHS and IEC 63000 expand the European RoHS Directive to include key international requirements. While China RoHS specifies additional labeling and information requirements for the Chinese market, IEC 63000 describes how manufacturers must structure their technical documentation in order to provide traceable evidence of substance restrictions such as RoHS. Together, these two sets of regulations provide a comprehensive understanding of global material compliance requirements and help companies keep their products legally compliant and marketable worldwide.

This has been expanded from electronic information products (EIP) to electric and electronic equipment (EEE-products). The definition of the products is identical with that familiar from the European RoHS directive. But the Chinese law lacks the exempted applications of EU RoHS Article 2 – Scope such as, for example:

  • large-scale stationary industrial tools
  • large-scale fixed installations
  • active implantable medical devices.

The regulated substances are the four heavy metals: lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, as well as two groups of flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers) with the same limits as the European RoHS. There will be no list of exceptions in the style of the EU RoHS.

In the future, E/E products that exceed the defined limit values and are included in the yet‑to‑be‑published Catalogue of electrical and electronic products subject to compliance management may no longer be sold in the People’s Republic of China. If exemptions are granted, they will be listed directly in the catalogue rather than appearing as annexes, as is the case under EU RoHS.

The working group has proposed the following initial product categories for inclusion in the catalogue, among others:

  • Refrigerators
  • Washing machines
  • Printers
  • Televisions
  • Smartphones

EEE-products that are not included in this catalogue can still be sold in the People’s Republic of China, but need to be labelled accordingly. The products must be labelled before import. In addition to this, they need to be accompanied by a so-called DoC (Declaration of Conformity) that tabulates the components which exceed the regulation’s limits. If no limit has been exceeded, the DoC may be eschewed and the green label used. Products that exceed a limit need to use the orange identification labels. The DoC information and labels are only applicable to the finished EEE-product, but not to the individual materials, articles, etc. this product consists of.

The ElektroStoffVerordnung of 9 May 2013 transposes RoHS 2 into German national law. The Directive was aligned with the “New Legislative Framework,” meaning that the requirements for the EU Declaration of Conformity and CE marking must be fulfilled.

As an effective tool for implementing RoHS, the VDE standard DIN EN IEC 63000 (the successor to DIN EN 50581) has proven its value. The standard defines the creation of technical documentation to demonstrate compliance with substance restrictions, such as those specified in the RoHS Directive.

In addition to material‑specific documentation for the final product—and therefore also for purchased components and materials—the standard also regulates general documentation requirements, including product descriptions and specification documents.

This means that, on the one hand, the general requirements must be supported by an appropriate process landscape, and on the other hand, the material‑specific requirements must be covered by a structured communication and documentation process.

Any questions?

Stefanie Huber

+49 681 92564 – 122

s.huber@tec4U-solutions.com

We look forward to supporting you.