No one wants to use a potentially hazardous product, especially when they’re already working in an inherently dangerous industry.
Electrical work isn’t for the faint of heart, especially in high-voltage situations. Between shocks and arcs and the threat of electrocution, workers are always on guard. Thankfully, workers on the job site aren’t the only ones working toward creating the safest situations possible.
If you’ve looked at one of our Kris-Tech spec sheets, you may have noticed a small mark saying, “RoHS Compliant.” RoHS is one of several compliance measures Kris-Tech and other manufacturers follow to create safer products. At its base, the rules prevent companies from using toxic materials during manufacturing. It also governs the rest of the supply chain, preventing dangerous products from hitting the shelves.
Although RoHS is a European compliance measure, it works well for everyone because it covers the product’s lifespan. The directive governs wire and cable manufacturing but also its use and eventual disposal.
But what is RoHS, and why should a U.S.-based company adhere to European rules?
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, but most people call it the RoHS Directive, or RoHS for short.
Citing the rising amount of electronic waste generated annually, the European Union adopted the directive in 2002. However, it did not take effect until July 1, 2006, giving manufacturers time to comply. In 2011, lawmakers updated the directive, known as RoHS 2, expanding the list of banned chemicals. Further amendments took place in recent years, and most recently, lawmakers proposed two new chemicals for the list.
NOTE: Though similar, RoHS is NOT THE SAME as the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation. REACH has a much larger scope than RoHS, encompassing all chemicals imported, manufactured, or used in the EU.
RoHS is a European directive but has had a global impact on manufacturers, including those in the United States. Several states, including California, New York, Indiana, and Wisconsin, have each enacted their own versions of the law.
As the directive’s name implies, RoHS targets hazardous materials in electrical and electronics manufacturing and use.
Among the chemicals on the list are several we’re all familiar with, like lead, cadmium, and mercury. Of course, there are also a handful with long, complicated names and specialized uses. The most recent list features ten restricted substances and their maximum allowed concentration by weight.
Each chemical listed can pose many environmental and human health issues when released into the air. To protect workers and consumers, RoHS removes the chemicals from the equation, prompting manufacturers to find safer alternatives.
The EU’s directive also aims for fairness. It applies the same rules to all manufacturers, not just those in the EU member states. Companies hoping to export their products to the EU must follow the same rules or risk losing access to the European market.
As an additional layer of enforcement and protection, manufacturers must also comply with a declaration of conformity. This document says that EEE sold in the EU follows RoHS rules. It also ensures the manufacturer is responsible for any non-compliant items.
The result is more companies voluntarily adopting the directive’s manufacturing standards to maintain ties to the region.
As we’ve learned, RoHS applies to the manufacturing, use, and eventual disposal of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
EEE is a large umbrella housing many products in various categories, including:
Of course, that isn’t to say EVERY electronic or electrical item falls under RoHS’ health and safety rules. A few notable exceptions to the rule are:
RoHS has a wide-reaching scope but covers nearly the entire manufacturing and sales process.
Manufacturers must follow the rules for electrical and electronic products to enter the EU market – there are no exceptions. That means avoiding the ten hazardous substances, adhering to the declaration of conformity, and maintaining open communication for recalls.
But manufacturers aren’t the only ones on the hook. Importers must ensure any electrical or electronic products brought into the EU comply with RoHS. They also must pull non-conforming materials from the market, alert distributors, and maintain a register of recalls.
Distributors must ensure that everything they sell meets RoHS standards. They also need to provide consumers access to technical data in plain language they easily understand. Like importers, distributors must alert importers and manufacturers of potential problems and provide RoHS documentation when asked.
Like other certifications and compliance measures, it’s easy to determine if a product meets the RoHS directive.
The manufacturer usually marks their product, packaging, or corresponding documentation, like a spec sheet, with a RoHS mark. For example, a RoHS Compliance mark is on every Kris-Tech spec sheet next to the product illustration.
If consumers have additional questions about a manufacturer’s RoHS compliance, they can contact the manufacturer and request the specific information they need.
Understanding RoHS is critical to selling products in the EU and protecting our long-term environmental health.
Reducing the use of toxins like lead and cadmium makes our products inherently safer. Those products are also less dangerous during their lifespan, from production and installation to eventual disposal.
Fortunately, RoHS is only one of many ways the world works together to continually improve manufacturing and reduce environmental impacts.
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