Product Compliance / By

Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS)

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (refers to RoHS) is an EU directive adopted by the EU Commission for the first time in the year 2003. The directive enforces each of its member states to regulate substances present in the Electrical and Electronic devices. As per this directive, the manufacturer, importer, distributor, or authorized representative is required to test and declare whether the products placed in the European Economic Area contain RoHS restricted chemicals beyond its allowable threshold levels. 


RoHS 1 (2002/95/EC)

The firstly implemented RoHS (in 2003) is referred to as RoHS 1 and the same has restricted the use of six hazardous substances.

The restricted substance are listed below.

  1. Cadmium
  2. Mercury
  3. Lead
  4. Hexavalent chromium
  5. Polybrominated biphenyl
  6. Polybrominated biphenyl ether

The above substances are regulated in the electrical and electronic equipment provided there were also certain exemptions for products like solar panels etc.

RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU)

EU RoHS 2 refers to directive 2011/65/EU adopted in the year 2011. The same has replaced the previous RoHS 1 and came into effect in July 2011. The RoHS 2 initially restricted the same six substances listed in RoHS 1 but the scope was expanded for products and imposed new obligations to the concerned stakeholders to create a declaration/ certificate of conformity/ compliance and also to affix CE markings in the finished products. The RoHS 2 has also fixed legal threshold limits to make the product comply with the RoHS directive.

In the year 2015, 4 new substances are added to the 6 restricted substances list and the RoHS regulated substance count was raised to 10. The substance as per RoHS 2 with allowable threshold limits are listed below.

  1. Cadmium(Cd): 0.01%
  2. Mercury: 0.1%
  3. Lead(Pb): 0.1%
  4. Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+): 0.1%
  5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): 0.1 %
  6. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): 0.1%
  7. Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): 0.1% (added in 2015);
  8. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): 0.1% (added in 2015);
  9. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): 0.1% (added in 2015);
  10. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): 0.1% (added in 2015).

Since the addition of 4 new substances, RoHS 2 is generally referred to as RoHS 3. The RoHS 2/3 lists 11 categories of EEE and it also included Medical devices, control instruments, etc. The same also provides exemptions for various product categories like space equipment, military equipment, etc.

RoHS 2/3 require manufacturers, importers, suppliers to prepare declarations of compliance and affix CE marking before placing the product in the EU market. The format of the declaration of conformity is given in Annex VI of RoHS 2.

How GreenoDix can simplify your requirement

GreenoDix Compliance team possess a handful of professional experience in creating the RoHS certificate of compliance, declaration of conformity, collecting 100% data from the supply chain, and other RoHS-specific requirements.

If you have any queries related to EU RoHS, China RoHS, UK RoHS, Saudi RoHS, etc. feel free to contact us through the below contact information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +91 74488 09263

Book a free Demo