RoHS, also known as Lead-Free, stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union and restricts the use of six hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products in the EU market after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance. RoHS impacts the entire electronics industry and many electrical products as well.

RoHS Compliance Definition

The definition and aim of the RoHS directive is quite simple. The RoHS directive aims to restrict certain dangerous substances commonly used in electronic and electronic equipment. Any RoHS compliant component is tested for the presence of Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent chromium (Hex-Cr), Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). For Cadmium and Hexavalent chromium, there must be less than 0.01% of the substance by weight at raw homogeneous materials level. For Lead, PBB, and PBDE, there must be no more than 0.1% of the material, when calculated by weight at raw homogeneous materials. Any RoHS compliant component must have 100 ppm or less of mercury and the mercury must not have been intentionally added to the component. In the EU, some military and medical equipment are exempt from RoHS compliance.

Is Your Facility RoHS Compliant for 2014?

Any business that sells applicable electrical or electronic products, sub-assemblies or components directly to RoHS countries, or sells to resellers, distributors or integrators that in turn sell products to these countries, is impacted if they utilize any of the restricted materials.

RoHS Steps to 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.

The RoHS Directive currently applies to products in Categories 1 through 7. Categories 8 and 9 are exempted from compliance.

RoHS specifies maximum levels for the following six restricted materials:

• 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

WEEE stands for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment. WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC mandates the treatment, recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment (90% ends up in landfills). All applicable products in the EU market must pass WEEE compliance and carry the "Wheelie Bin" sticker.