RoHS,Restriction of the Use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment is a product level compliance. It is based on the European Union’s Directive 2002/95/EC.

RoHS compliance is tested with the help of RoHS analyzers. They are also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers and are used for screening and verification of restricted metals.

Any company that sells electronic products, sub-assemblies or components directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors or integrators that in turn sell products to EU countries, is impacted by chemicals banned in RoHS directive. Metal industry is also affected, if there are any applications of metal plating, anodizing, chromating or other finishes on EEE components, heat sinks, or connectors.

RoHS compliance is measured by careful testing and documentation in accordance with RoHS Directive regulations.

RoHS consultants help to oversee compliance. Companies can send their products to laboratories for conducting RoHS tests. The labs will test the company’s products and will return the results that will be needed for documentation. Another option is the use of handheld XRF analyzers, small devices that instantly test for the presence of elements andsubstances controlled by the RoHS Directive. It will offer instant results as well as saved results for RoHS documentation.

Companies will not prefer to buy RoHS non-compliance products. Refusing to comply with requests or non-compliant products can result in fines that are £5000 or more. In some cases, businesses can be banned from exporting their products. Specific penalties vary from state to state, but non-compliance is always far costlier for a business than compliance.

RoHS regulates the hazardous substances used in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), while WEEE regulates the disposal of this same equipment.

WEEE compliance aims to encourage the design of electronic products with environmentally safe recycling and recovery. RoHS compliance joins with WEEE by reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals used in electronics manufacture.

The RoHS Recast Directive has not changed the restricted substances and maximum concentration values from the original 2002 Directive: lead (0.1%), mercury (0.1%), hexavalent chromium (0.1%), cadmium (0.01%), and the two flame retardants PBB (0.1%)and PBDE (0.1%).

It’s called the RoHS2 amendment. It added 4 phthalates to RoHS.