RoHS Compliance Hazardous Restricted Substances & Materials

RoHS is a European Unition (EU) directive that regulates the ‘Restriction of Hazardous Substances’ in electrical and electronic equipment. As of July 22, 2019, all businesses in the applicable electrical or electronic value chain that sells indirectly to RoHS-directed countries must limit the use of the 10 hazardous restricted material listed below.

What Were the Hazardous Substances in Directive 2002/95/EC?

EU Directive 2002/95/EC known as RoHS 1 created restrictions for six key hazardous substances:

• Lead (Pb)

• Cadmium (Cd)
• Mercury (Hg)
• Hexavalent Chromium (CR VI)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs)
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)

What are the for New Substances Added in RoHS Directive 2015/863?

EU Directive 2015/863 often referred to as RoHS 3 incorrectly is an addition to RoHS 2 and adds four new restricted substances which are all phthalates to the restriction list. These substances are mainly used as insulation plasticizers.

• Bis(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP)
• Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BPP)
• Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)

List of 10 RoHS Restricted Substances and the Limit

As of July 22, 2019, any business that sells applicable electrical or electronic products, equipment, sub-assemblies, cables, components, or spare parts directly or indirectly to RoHS-directed countries must limit the use of the following 10 hazardous restricted material within the specified maximum levels.  

• Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm (0.01%)
• Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)

• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
• Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) 
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) 
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) 
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)