2011/65/EG RoHS Directive

The EU RoHS Regulation regulates the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. 2011/65/EC (RoHS 2) is the latest version of the RoHS directive; this amended version replaces the previous directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1). This last update was published on 21 July 2011 and entered into force on 2 January 2013.

Scope of the directive

The directive limits are the use of lead (PB), mercury (Hg), cadmium (CD), chromium VI (CR6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in the manufacture of certain electrical and electronic equipment used in the European Union. PBB and PBDE are fire protection additives that are used in various types of plastics. Chromium VI is used for chromium plating, coatings and primers as well as chromium acid. These substances are identical to those listed in the RoHS 1 Directive. The purpose of limiting these substances is to protect the health of consumers, to ensure safety and to protect the environment.

CE Marking

The main difference between RoHS 1 and the updated Directive is that the CE marking for electrical and electronic equipment was introduced for the first time with the launch of RoHS 2. Manufacturers of electronic equipment are also required to produce an EU Declaration of Conformity, which provides proof that all legal obligations have been complied with.

Other markings are prohibited as a result of the obligatory CE marking. This means that the popular self-created or ad-hoc RoHS logos are no longer permitted. The FAQ published for RoHS 2 by the European Commission on 12 December 2012, states as follows:

“The CE marking will be the only marking that confirms the conformity of the product with respect to the RoHS 2 Requirements” and “This means that ad-hoc symbols can no longer be used.”

To which electrical and electronic equipment does the directive apply?

Included are following product categories:

• Small and large household appliances
• IT and telecommunication equipment
• Consumer electronics
• Lighting equipment (including incandescent lamps and household lights)
• Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large local industrial installations)
• Toys, leisure and sports equipment
• Automatic dispensers

RoHS 2 will extend the restrictions in the coming years as follows:

• Medical equipment and monitoring and control equipment from July 2014
• Monitoring and control equipment from July 2014
• Medical in vitro devices from July 2016
• Industrial monitoring and control equipment from July 2017

The directive establishes legal obligations for the manufacturers or traders of electrical or electronic equipment from a restricted product category in one of the following functions. Preventing the use of pollutants already at the beginning of the development process, ensures the recyclability and chemical safety of the recycled material, thereby avoiding harmful effects on the environment and people’s health, e.g. for employees of recycling companies or the future use of the recycled materials.

Substances and Limit Values

The limit values for heavy metals and brominated flame retardants are set as follows:

• 0.1% for lead (Pb)
• 0.1% for mercury (Hg)
• 0.1% for chromium VI
• 0.1% for polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
• 0.1% for polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
• 0.01% for cadmium (CD)

These limit values apply to every single homogeneous material – all materials that cannot be mechanically separated into other components are to be classified as homogeneous material.

Source: https://www.productip.de/eu-richtlinien/201165eg-rohs-richtlinie/