Directive 2011/65/EU, RoHS Compliance

The RoHS Directive (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances) is used to restrict the use of hazardous substances in components (and other finished products in the electrical industry).

The European Union’s RoHS Directive came into force on 1 July 2006, with the aim of reducing environmental pollution caused by hazardous substances from waste electrical equipment.

The maximum permitted concentration of a substance is 0.1% by weight of the homogeneous material for all other substances, with the exception of cadmium, for which only 0.01% is permitted.

Perhaps the most significant change since the original directive came into force has been the change in the lead content of the alloy used for soldering components, as lead is the most important prohibited element in the directive.

Lead alloys are most often replaced by alloys based on tin, copper and mercury.

However, a drawback of this alloy is that it has a melting point approximately 20°C higher, which creates difficulties, particularly when soldering sensitive components.

Due to the properties of this alloy, components have had to be adapted to the lead-free soldering process.

Currently, the RoHS Directive restricts the use of six hazardous substances in components:

- cadmium

- lead

- mercury

- hexavalent chromium

- brominated flame retardants: PBB and PBDE

In addition to these substances, the Directive (2011/65/EU), revised on 28 June 2011, includes several new substances on its priority list (including HBCDD, DEHG, BBP and DBP).

The most significant change in the revised directive is the specification of maximum concentrations in accordance with the requirements of the RoHS Directive for the use of the CE marking.

For example, in order for a component manufacturer to sell their components with the CE marking in accordance with the RoHS Directive, the manufacturer must have technical documentation and a declaration of conformity.

The technical documentation includes a declaration of the quantities of substances prohibited by the RoHS Directive and, where necessary, test results confirming the component’s compliance with the RoHS Directive.

The EN 50581:2012 standard is used as the reference standard in the declaration of conformity.

In addition, the component must comply with other directives relating to CE marking, with the exception of safety components, for which only a declaration of conformity is required.