RoHS restricts 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products placed on the EU market. Companies must identify covered products, secure supplier declarations or test results, keep technical documentation, and track exemptions. Enforcement is led by national market surveillance authorities; retained UK rules and several non-EU jurisdictions have similar measures. Ongoing monitoring of regulatory updates and supplier management are critical to avoid market disruptions.

What is RoHS?

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) rules limit specific toxic materials used in electrical and electronic equipment. Since the original EU directive, the scope has expanded: RoHS now restricts 10 substances commonly linked to health and environmental harm - lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, two groups of flame retardants (PBB and PBDE), and four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).

Where and how RoHS applies today

RoHS applies to products placed on the EU market. The current legal framework started as Directive 2002/95/EC and has been updated and consolidated under later acts often referred to as RoHS 2 and RoHS 3 (updates added the four phthalates). Manufacturers, importers and distributors that place covered electrical and electronic equipment on the EU market must meet RoHS limits.

Other jurisdictions have adopted similar rules or parallel restrictions. China, Korea and Japan have RoHS-style measures; there is no single federal RoHS law in the United States, though some states and local programs have taken related steps .

Enforcement and market surveillance

National market surveillance authorities enforce RoHS in each EU member state. After the UK left the EU, RoHS-style requirements were retained in UK law and are enforced by UK market surveillance bodies 1. For EU market access, competent national authorities will inspect documentation, request testing, and take action against non-compliant products.

What companies must do

RoHS compliance is primarily a supply-chain and documentation exercise. Key obligations include:

  • Identify which products fall under RoHS and which components/materials contain restricted substances.
  • Obtain material declarations from suppliers and test where declarations are insufficient.
  • Maintain technical documentation that demonstrates compliance (risk assessments, test reports, BOMs, supplier declarations, and dates of manufacture/placing on market).
  • Apply CE marking and keep a Declaration of Conformity when other EU product rules apply.
  • Monitor exemptions and transitional provisions: some uses remain exempt where no technically feasible alternative exists.
Design, procurement and quality teams must collaborate. Changing to compliant components often requires requalification, firmware or mechanical rework, and new supplier agreements.

Practical next steps

  1. Map your product portfolio against RoHS scope.
  1. Collect supplier declarations and prioritize high-risk parts for testing.
  1. Update technical documentation and retention processes.
  1. Subscribe to regulatory updates and exemption lists so you can react to changes.
RoHS is now a routine part of product compliance planning. Early mapping and tight supplier control reduce last-minute redesigns and market risk.

2: confirm details on specific US state laws and current UK enforcement body and authoritative UK guidance URL.

  1. Confirm which US states currently have RoHS-like legislation and list of those states.
  2. Confirm the current UK market surveillance/enforcement authority name and responsibilities for RoHS after Brexit.
  3. Confirm the authoritative UK government guidance URL for RoHS (replacement for the older rohs.gov.uk site).

FAQs about RoHS Compliance

Which substances does RoHS restrict?
RoHS restricts 10 substances: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE, and four phthalates - DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP.
Does RoHS only apply in the European Union?
RoHS itself applies to products placed on the EU market. Other jurisdictions have adopted similar rules (for example China, Korea and Japan). There is no single US federal RoHS law, though some states have adopted related measures .
How do companies demonstrate RoHS compliance?
Demonstration relies on technical documentation: supplier declarations, test reports, bills of materials, risk assessments, and, where relevant, CE marking and a Declaration of Conformity.
Are there any permitted exceptions to RoHS limits?
Yes. RoHS includes time-limited exemptions where no technically feasible alternative exists. Manufacturers must monitor the exemption list and justify uses covered by an exemption.
What immediate steps should a company take to prepare?
Map products for RoHS scope, collect supplier declarations, prioritize testing for high-risk components, update technical documentation, and subscribe to regulatory updates.

News about RoHS Compliance

Compliance Assured: Full RoHS Lead-Free PCBA Assembly and Testing in China - EIN News [Visit Site | Read More]

EU RoHS Directive Update: Comprehensive Refinement of Lead Exemption Clauses - Regulatory News - Chemicals - CIRS Group [Visit Site | Read More]

Samsung’s Quantum Dot Display Technology Verified as No-Cadmium, Receives SGS Certification - samsung.com [Visit Site | Read More]

The Role of Traceability in Managing Environmental Compliance - Z2Data [Visit Site | Read More]

Butterfly Network’s RoHS Lead Exemption Revocation Request Progresses to Stakeholder and Consultant Assessment - Yahoo Finance [Visit Site | Read More]

China's Mandatory National Standard GB 26572-2025 for RoHS Officially Released, Effective from 2027 - CIRS Group [Visit Site | Read More]

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) - European Commission [Visit Site | Read More]