Everything you need to know about RoHS certification
Directive on the use of various chemical substances
Do you want to market electrical or electronic equipment? You’ll find this isn’t possible if your products don’t meet the relevant safety requirements - in terms of user friendliness, functional safety and electrical safety, etc. You also need to make sure that the users of your products aren’t exposed to chemical safety risks. The RoHS Directive (Directive 2011/65/EU) applies to the selling of electrical and electronic equipment in the EU. This blog explains what the RoHS Directive entails and when and how certification works. The blog ends with a list of the benefits of an RoHS certificate.
What is the RoHS Directive?
RoHS stands for ‘Restriction of Hazardous Substances’. The RoHS Directive imposes limits on the use of various chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment for
chemical safety
. They consist of a number of heavy metals, fire retardants and phthalates (plasticisers). Sometimes, chemical substances are naturally present in products, but they may also have been added during the production process. We tell you which substances these are below and also which concentration of these substances a product is permitted to contain.
- Lead (0.1%)
- Mercury (0.1%)
- Cadmium (0.01%)
- Hexavalent chromium (0.1%)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) (0.1%)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) (0.1%)
- Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1%)
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (0.1%)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (0.1%)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (0.1%)
The phthalates were added to the list in 2019 because regular exposure to them can affect fertility.
When does the RoHS Directive apply?
The following categories of electrical and electronic equipment fall under the RoHS Directive. The products above may only be marketed if they are compliant with the RoHS directive.
RoHS certification
Equipment may only be marketed in Europe if it has been certified against the RoHS Directive. You can arrange this certification via an accredited certification body like DEKRA. Our experts inspect your equipment thoroughly, test it equipment in our own laboratory and then determine whether it is eligible for an RoHS certificate. If the results are compliant with the RoHS Directive, you will be awarded an RoHS certificate.
A summary of the benefits of RoHS certification
RoHS certification shows that your company cares about the health of consumers. Certification also has a number of other benefits. For example:
- Environmental protection: shows that your equipment isn’t hazardous for the environment.
- Safety: promotes healthier working conditions and end use.
- Legal compliance: compliant with EU trade directives.
- Customer confidence: strengthens your reputation and market position.
- Competitive advantage: opens up access to international markets.
- Cost savings: minimises the risk of fines and product recalls.
- Sustainability: supports the circular economy and recycling.
More information about RoHS
If you have equipment that requires an RoHS certificate, the test specialists at DEKRA can arrange everything for you. RoHS certification shows that your products meet all current chemical safety requirements. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.