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New RoHS restrictions: what does this mean and what does it mean for you?

As of July 22, 2019, electrical and electronic equipment(EEE) must comply with the new amendment of Directive 2011/65/EU on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). The RoHS directive requires companies to restrict the use of hazardous substances in EEE, thus contributing to the protection of humans and the environment from the unacceptable risks posed by these substances. The directive provides a restriction list of substances for which limits are set on use in EEE.

Before July 22, the RoHS restriction list consisted of a number of harmful heavy metals and flame retardants: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBBs and PBDEs. As of the amendment, there are four phthalates there: DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP were added:

Name of substance Limit (%), maximum weight percentage of the homogeneous material
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
Butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP)* 0,1
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)* 0,1
Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP)* 0,1

*newly added

What are phthalates?

Phthalates are used as plasticizers in plastics. Plasticizers make plastics soft and more flexible. Plasticizers are gradually released from the material in which they are incorporated. It has been established that the phthalates included in the RoHS restriction list may have adverse effects on the development of human reproductive organs and the endocrine system. If the consumer is regularly exposed to phthalates from an early age, it may affect fertility later in life.

What does the change in the RoHS directive mean for you?

Are you a distributor of electrical or electronic equipment? Then it is important that you check with your supplier whether a product delivered after July 22, 2019 meets the new requirements. You can do this by requesting a new declaration of conformity. The declaration of conformity must state that the item complies with the RoHs Directive 2011/65/EU and the new amendment 2015/863/EU.

Are you a manufacturer, importer or authorized representative of electrical or electronic equipment? Then you must check yourself whether your product complies with the provisions of the amendment to the RoHS directive. You will have to be able to demonstrate on the basis of substantiated technical documentation that your product does not contain any substances on the current restriction list in a concentration above the established limit value. This can be done by additionally testing the product for the presence of the phthalates listed in amendment 2015/863/EU.

Need support?

Do you doubt whether your product complies with the current RoHS regulations? Or do you have questions about your obligations under the RoHS directive? Précon Quality Services can help. Please contact us at 030-65 66 010 or info@precongroup.com. You will receive our free quote.

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