The RoHS Directive was developed for the European Union market, but many countries and regions worldwide have also introduced their own regulations restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. These regulations differ in scope, enforcement methods, and formal obligations, but in most cases they are inspired by European solutions.
What do RoHS equivalents look like outside the EU?
How does RoHS work in China?
In China, the China RoHS II regulation applies. It covers the same six substances as EU RoHS, and the marking system also takes into account four phthalates. An important element is EFUP marking and the disclosure of substance information in a dedicated table.
From 1 April 2025, the SJ/T 11364-2024 standard has been applied. It allows, among other things, the use of QR codes and digital information tables. In 2026, these requirements already function as a market standard. In addition, for selected products listed in catalogs, compliance with substance limits remains mandatory.
Does Japan apply a full substance ban like the EU?
No. The Japanese J-MOSS system, based on the JIS C 0950 standard, focuses on marking and disclosure of information on the presence of substances. It applies to seven product groups, mainly household appliances. Products may be placed on the market even if limits are exceeded, provided that proper marking is applied and information is disclosed in documentation or on a website in the Japanese language.
What obligations result from RoHS in Taiwan?
In Taiwan, the CNS 15663 standard applies within the BSMI supervision system. Products subject to control may be marked as compliant or as containing specific substances above the limits. Markings such as “RoHS” or “RoHS (Pb, PBDE)” indicate the substance status in the product, and a hazardous substances table must be attached to the product.
Does South Korea have its own RoHS regulations?
Yes. Korean K-RoHS combines substance restrictions in EEE with regulations on recycling and vehicles. Substance limits are similar to those in the EU, and the regulations are mandatory for specific product categories.
What is the situation in Singapore?
Singapore applies SG-RoHS, which covers selected groups of electrical and electronic equipment. The scope is narrower than in the EU, but the limits for the six substances correspond to the European approach.
Is RoHS applicable in Russia?
In the Eurasian Economic Union, Regulation TR EAEU 037/2016 applies, often referred to as EAEU RoHS. It requires a formal conformity assessment procedure before a product is placed on the market of the member states.
Is there a RoHS equivalent in the USA?
In the United States, there is no federal RoHS regulation. However, state regulations apply, particularly in California, concerning restrictions on heavy metals in selected categories of electronic devices.
What RoHS requirements apply in Turkey?
The Turkish RoHS law entered into force in June 2019 and largely corresponds to the EU RoHS II Directive. The same six hazardous substances are restricted: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, and PBDE. The same permissible concentrations and the same equipment categories apply as in the EU.
A difference compared to EU RoHS is the document retention period. In Turkey, manufacturers keep documents confirming product compliance for 5 years from the date of placing on the market, while in the EU this period is 10 years. In addition, manufacturers submit an annual declaration of conformity to the relevant Turkish administrative authority.
How does RoHS work in the United Arab Emirates?
In the United Arab Emirates, regulations restricting hazardous substances in EEE have been in force since 1 January 2018. They were introduced under Government Decision No. 10/2017. These regulations are modeled on the EU RoHS Directive. The substance scope and equipment categories correspond to what is commonly referred to as “RoHS 3”.
Conformity assessment is the responsibility of ESMA, the Emirates Authority for Standardisation and Metrology. The certification system operates under the ECAS program, known as the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme.
Manufacturers can meet the requirements in two ways:
- through annual ECAS certification based on a declaration of conformity, risk assessment, and test reports of the product or its critical components,
- or through full conformity assessment, a technical audit of the manufacturing facility, and obtaining the EQM mark (Emirates Quality Mark), valid for three years.
Failure to register a product covered by the regulation may result in an order to withdraw the product from the market and sanctions, including a fine or imprisonment.
What RoHS regulations apply in India?
The Indian RoHS directive has been in force since May 2014 and restricts the same six substances as European RoHS II. However, the scope of products covered is much narrower than in the EU.
Only the following are subject to restrictions:
- selected large household appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners),
- IT and telecommunications equipment,
- consumer equipment in the form of televisions.
The Indian regulation combines RoHS and WEEE requirements in a single legal act, unlike the EU, where they are separate directives. Although enforcement and penalties are not precisely defined, disclosure of information on hazardous substances in product documentation is required.
Does Norway apply RoHS?
In Norway, the PoHS regulation has been in force since 20 December 2011 and applies to consumer products. Restricted substances include lead, MCCP, PCP, and PFQA. The only substance common with EU RoHS is lead, but its permissible concentration is much more restrictive and amounts to 0.01 percent by weight, compared to 0.1 percent in the EU RoHS Directive.
What are the RoHS requirements in Ukraine?
The Ukrainian RoHS regulation was adopted in 2017 in the form of Technical Regulation Decree No. 139. It replaced earlier regulations from 2008. The aim of the changes was full alignment of Ukrainian law with the EU RoHS Directive.
Since June 2019, restrictions on four phthalates have also been in force, and the list of exemptions has been updated. In practice, these regulations correspond to what is commonly referred to as “RoHS 3”. Products covered by the regulation must bear the National Conformity Mark. In addition, manufacturers prepare a Declaration of Conformity in the Ukrainian language.
What does this mean for manufacturers and importers and what is the role of RCC?
Compliance with the RoHS Directive in the EU does not always mean compliance in other markets. Each market may require a different approach. This applies to marking, documentation, and conformity assessment procedures.
In this area, an important role is played by the RCC Research and Development Center. It supports manufacturers and importers in interpreting RoHS requirements, as well as in planning and carrying out testing. In addition, it assists in preparing technical documentation and verifying product compliance. These activities cover both the EU market and markets outside the EU.