Description of RoHS
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, and impacts the entire electronics industry and many electrical products as well. The original RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union in 2002 and restricts the use of six hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products in the EU market since July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance.
Directive 2011/65/EU was published in 2011 by the EU, which is known as RoHS-Recast or RoHS 2. RoHS 2 includes a CE-marking directive, with RoHS compliance now being required for CE marking of products. RoHS 2 also added Categories 8 and 9, and has additional compliance recordkeeping requirements.
Directive 2015/863 was published in 2015 by the EU, which is known as RoHS 3. RoHS 3 adds four additional restricted substances (phthalates) to the list of six.
RoHS Compliances:
RoHS specifies maximum levels for the following 10 restricted substances. The first six applied to the original RoHS while the last four were added under RoHS 3.
- Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm
- Mercury (Hg): < 100 ppm
- Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm
- Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI)< 1000 ppm
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB):< 1000 ppm
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm
- Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm
Benefits
There are two primary benefits of RoHS compliance, which can be accrued by electronic product manufacturers, as well as their customers:
- Reducing Instances of Heavy Metal Poisoning :Most e-waste is transported to factories in third world countries. The workers in these factories suffer the most when it comes to lead and mercury poisoning. RoHS requires the use of lead-free solders and components, thus reducing the number of heavy metal poisoning cases in these factories. Also, the state of health of the workers and users has improved tremendously.
- Product Reliability: Most of the well-known electronics manufacturers have adopted RoHS. Customers are now assured of complete product safety. As a result, the reliability of these manufacturers and their brands has improved dramatically. The popularity and sales of electronic components has increased.
As more organizations and countries are adopting the directive, there will be less landfill contamination, and poisoning cases. Overall, the benefits of RoHS compliance has not only impacted the electronics industry, but also provided solutions to electronic customers the world over.
Process of RoHS Certification
The following steps are involved for RoHS certification.
Documentation Review: Review Bill of Materials, assembly drawings, Materials Declarations for each component and product, test reports and Conformance Certificates.
Audit: Inspect all manufacturing processes needed to meet RoHS compliance for the six restricted substances.
Testing: On-site portable XRF testing is done to determine values of the six restricted RoHS substances.
Certification: After successful audit, a RoHS certficate is issued.