Introduction

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

Directive 2011/65/EU was published in 2011 by the EU, which is known as RoHS-Recast or RoHS 2. RoHS 2 includes a CE-marking directive, with RoHS compliance now being required for CE marking of products. RoHS 2 also added Categories 8 and 9, and has additional compliance recordkeeping requirements.

Directive 2015/863 is known as RoHS 3. RoHS 3 adds four additional restricted substances (phthalates) to the list of six.

•   Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm
•   Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm
•   Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm
•   Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm
•   Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm
•   Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm
•   Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm
•   Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm
•   Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm
•   Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm

ROHS Steps to Certification

The following steps are involved for RoHS certification.

• Step-1: Testing: Testing is done to determine values of the ten restricted RoHS substances.
• Step-2: Process Audit: Inspect all applicable manufacturing processes used towards RoHS compliance on-site.
• Step-3: Documentation Review: Review the Bill of Materials, Technical File, assembly drawings, materials declarations, test reports, and conformance/compliance certificates from all suppliers.
• Step-4: The Technical File must contain the following:
•   General product description and design structure information
•   Risk assessment of materials, parts and subassemblies
•   Conformity information on materials, parts, and subassemblies
•   Manufacturing documentation and records
•   Harmonized standards, specifications, and conformity procedures
• Step-5: Certification Statement: After a successful audit, a RoHS Certificate of Compliance (also known as a Certificate of Conformity or Declaration of Conformity) is issued.