The RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is one of the fundamental legal acts regulating the placing of electrical and electronic equipment on the European Union market. Its main objective is to limit the use of selected hazardous substances in EEE, which directly contributes to the protection of human health and the natural environment. In practice, RoHS affects product design, component selection, the supply chain, and the conformity assessment process.
Legal basis of RoHS in the EU
The binding legal act is Directive 2011/65/EU, commonly referred to as RoHS II, together with its subsequent amendments and delegated acts of the European Commission. The earlier Directive 2002/95/EC now has only historical significance and cannot be used as a basis for conformity assessment.
In 2026, manufacturers, importers, and entities placing products on the EU market must comply with the current wording of Directive 2011/65/EU, taking into account all applicable extensions of the substance list and exemptions.
What is considered EEE?
EEE refers to electrical and electronic equipment whose proper operation depends on the supply of electrical energy or the presence of electromagnetic fields. This category also includes equipment used for the generation, transmission, and measurement of electric current.
The RoHS Directive covers products designed to operate at voltages up to 1000 V AC or 1500 V DC. As a result, the regulation applies to the vast majority of electronic and electrical devices available on the European market, from IT equipment and household appliances to industrial devices and control and measurement instruments.
Substances restricted under RoHS
According to RoHS II, the use of six substances is restricted:
- lead
- mercury
- cadmium
- hexavalent chromium
- polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
The permissible concentration of these substances is 0.1 percent by weight in a homogeneous material, while for cadmium the limit is 0.01 percent.
Extension of the list of substances
Under Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863, the scope of RoHS was extended to include four phthalates: DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP. These restrictions have applied since 2019 and are also subject to a limit of 0.1 percent by weight in a homogeneous material.
In practice, this means that in 2026 manufacturers must take into account a total of ten substances restricted under RoHS, both at the product design stage and during the selection of materials and components.
Importance of RoHS for manufacturers outside the EU
Although RoHS is an EU regulation, its effects are global in nature. Any manufacturer outside the EU who places electrical or electronic equipment on the European market must meet the requirements of the directive. This includes preparing technical documentation, issuing a declaration of conformity, and ensuring that the product meets substance limits at the homogeneous material level.
Non-compliance may result in a sales ban, withdrawal of the product from the market, and administrative penalties.
How to prepare to meet RoHS requirements?
Meeting RoHS requirements requires not only knowledge of the regulations but also a practical approach. This includes risk assessment, supplier management, and verification of components. In many cases, companies carry out laboratory testing, analyze supplier documentation, and prepare declarations of conformity.
If you want to be sure that your products meet current RoHS requirements in the EU, it is worth using the support of specialists. This helps reduce the risk of errors and speeds up the process of placing products on the market.
RCC provides support in the area of RoHS by analyzing the scope of the directive and assessing documentation. In addition, it assists in preparing declarations of conformity and in cooperation with testing laboratories. Contact RCC to safely place your products on the European Union market.