RoHS is a European Directive regarding “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” (2002/95/EC), effective since July 1, 2006. (http://www.ee.sgs.com/testing_rohs_ee) This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (EEE). A recent European Commission (EC) impact assessment study showed that almost half of the EEE currently placed on the EU market is not fully RoHS compliant. As a consequence, more stringent market surveillance may be expected.
In addition, a new draft of RoHS 2 was published at the beginning of September 2009. Basically, the revision of the Directive will not only cover EEEs, unless specifically excluded, but will also introduce the regulation of more substances, modify exemption procedures and implement a more effective market surveillance system.
At present, the recast of RoHS is in the draft stage, but formal approval from the EU Parliament and Council is expected by the first half of 2010. RoHS 2 will become a CE Marking Directive (http://www.ee.sgs.com/ce_mark_ee.htm), which means manufacturers will have to perform conformity tests based on EC Directive 768/2008/EC and Regulation 765/2008/EC. They will share RoHS compliance responsibility with retailers and importers. Therefore, manufacturers should rethink and redesign products to comply with the new requirements, while importers and retailers should find the support to assess technical documentation presented by manufacturers.
Once the revised Directive is effective EU manufacturers, importers, retailers and authorized representatives will have to make sure that they are placing compliant products on the market. Independent RoHS testing and certification companies such as SGS can assist companies along the value chain preparing for RoHS 2 and other related requirements. SGS RoHS experts have a deep understanding of the RoHS legislation backed up with more than 24 RoHS laboratories worldwide.
Learn more about the Timelines for RoHS2 implementation and current draft documents from the European Parliament Environment Committee, European Council, and European Commission and about the RoHS2 CE marking requirements and proposed substance restrictions and visit: http://www.sgs.com/rohs
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