What is RoHS and RoHS elements?
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC or informally, ‘the lead-free directive’. RoHS restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in products such as appliances and IT and entertainment equipment.
The purpose is to protect people and the environment from the harmful effect of the materials. We’ve bolded the last four to show you the phthalates, which were added in July 2019.
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Hexavalent chromium (CrVI)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
RoHS Explained:
RoHS is linked to WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which dictates the treatment, recovery and recycling of e-waste. The product categories affected are below. RoHS also applies to all wire, cables, and associated connectors, both internal and external, but does not apply to batteries.
Category 1: Large household appliances
- Refrigerators, washers, stoves, air conditioners
Category 2: Small household appliances
- Vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons
Category 3: Computing and communications equipment
- Computers, printers, copiers, phones, satellite TV, cell tower equipment, antennas
Category 4: Consumer electronics
- TVs, DVD players, stereos, video cameras
Category 5: Lighting
- Lamps, lighting fixtures, light bulbs (some fluorescents are exempt)
Category 6: Power tools
- Drills, saws, nail guns, sprayers, lathes, trimmers, blowers
Category 7: Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Videogames, treadmills, talking dolls, Fitbits
Category 8: Medical devices and equipment – compliance deadline for phthalate restriction: July 22, 2021
- Includes in-vitro diagnostic medical devices (IVDs); (also impacted by GMP regulations - FDA 21 CFR 820)
Category 9: Monitoring and control equipment – compliance deadline for phthalate restriction: July 22, 2021
- Thermostats, smoke detectors, fire alarms, including industrial applications
Category 10: Automatic dispensers
- Vending machines, ATMs (cash points)
Category 11: Catch all
- Products include all other electronic and electrical equipment not covered under the other categories. Included are 2-wheeled vehicles, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) such as e-cigarettes, cannabis vaporizers and vape pens. Also included are electrical cables that are less than 250V working voltage.
Automotive vehicles are exempt and instead are addressed in the End of Life Vehicles Directive (Directive 2000/53/EC).
Restrictions: how is RoHS actually applied?
RoHS restricts materials, or substances, by specifying the maximum levels by weight. The permitted concentration is limited to 0.1%, or 1000 parts-per million (ppm). This applies to all substances except for cadmium, which is limited to 0.01% or 100 ppm.
The weight does not apply to the weight of the final product or a component within that product. It applies to the homogenous materials, that is, any substance that can be removed mechanically, such as a sheath on a cable. For instance, consider a washing machine. Its screws and washers might be made of one homogenous material. But other components might require components of its own. The washer has a circuit board, which includes a printed circuit board (PCB), integrated circuits, and a resistor, among other components. Any part, or component, made of a homogenous material must meet the RoHS limit.
Exemptions
The use of lead is approved in certain applications, at least for a few more years. As per RoHS:
|
Exemption |
Application |
Category |
Deadline |
| 6a | Lead up to 0.35% by weight in alloyed steel (for machining) and galvanized steel | Categories 8, 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
| 6a-1 | Lead up to 0.35% by weight in alloyed steel (for machining) and up to 0.2% lead by weight in batch hot-dip galvanized steel | Categories 1-7 and 10 | 21 July 2021 |
| 6b | Lead up to 0.4% lead by weight in aluminium alloys | Categories 8, 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control instruments; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
| 6b-1 | Lead up to 0.4% lead by weight in recycled scrap aluminium alloys | Categories 1-7 and 10 | 21 July 2021 |
| 6b-11 | Lead up to 0.4% lead by weight in aluminium alloys for machining | Categories 1-7 and 10 | 21 July 2021 |
| 6c | Lead up to 0.4% lead by weight in copper alloys | Categories 1-7 and 10 Categories 8, 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control instruments; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
| 7a | Lead up to 85% by weight in high-temperature solder alloys |
Categories 1-7 and 10 (except for Exemption 24 capacitor applications) Categories 8, 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control instruments; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
| 7c-1 | Lead in glass or ceramics (including matrix compounds) other than for capacitor dielectrics (such as piezoelectronic devices) | Categories 1-7 and 10 (except for Exemption 24 potentiometer applications) Categories 8 and 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control instruments; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
| 24 | Lead in solders for machined through-hole discoidal and planar array ceramic multilayer capacitors | Categories 1-7 and 10 Categories 8 and 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control instruments; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
| 34 | Lead in cermet-based trimmer potentiometer elements | Categories 1-7 and 10 Categories 8 and 9 (except for in-vitro diagnostic medical devices and industrial monitoring & control instruments) Category 8 in-vitro diagnostic medical devices Category 9 industrial monitoring & control instruments; Category 11 |
21 July 2021 21 July 2021 21 July 2023 21 July 2024 |
Start with compliant or exempt components
Of course, design engineers can make life easier for themselves. If you need a cam lock for cabinets, concealed hinges, industrial door latches or push mount cable ties, for example, then select components that comply with RoHS or components with materials that are exempt from the directive.
Your design might need these products, which either contain compliant materials or are exempt:
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download for free. You can also request free samples to ensure the solutions you’ve chosen are exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which product will work best for your application, or wish to discuss how the RoHS directive affects your end product, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.co.uk or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 0345 528 0474.