What is RoHS?

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment".  This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants.

Manufacturers need to understand the requirements of the RoHS Directive to ensure that their products, and their components, comply.

When did RoHS come into force?

The RoHS Directive and the UK RoHS regulations came into force on 1 July 2006.
The RoHS Directive is an Article 95 single market directive.

RoHS is often referred to as the lead-free directive, but it restricts the use of the following six substances:

1. Lead

2. Mercury

3. Cadmium

4. Hexavalent chromium

5. Polybrominated biphenyls

6. Polybrominated diphenyl ether