Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive

The European Union’s RoHS Directive restricts six substances in electrical and electronic equipment; what you need to know.

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive, which restricts the use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium and both polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in electrical and electronics equipment manufactured, sold, or imported into the European Union (EU), is undergoing a revision. The EU Commission’s proposed revisions, released in December 2008, attempt to simplify and clarify the Directive without repealing it altogether. There is now a compromise EU Council position that was drafted by the Swedish Presidency, and a report and proposed amendments issued by the EU Parliament Rapporteur, or issue leader, Member of European Parliament (MEP) Jill Evans (Green Party). While the Commission and Council proposals would take some small steps towards improving the meager scientific basis of the RoHS Directive, MEP Evans’ proposed amendments would have the opposite effect.

IPC continues to lobby to ensure the RoHS revisions process reflects the needs of the electronics industry and is based on sound science. IPC released a white paper, “Recasting the RoHS Directive: An Opportunity to Solidify its Scientific Basis in Support of Comprehensive Environmental Regulation” that advocates for a revised RoHS to be based on sound science and fully align with the REACH methodology for substance restrictions.

• IPC White Paper on Recasting the RoHS Directive: An Opportunity to Solidify its Scientific Basis in Support of Comprehensive Environmental Regulation (.pdf)
• European Council Position on Proposed Changes to the RoHS Directive (September 2009) (.pdf)
• MEP Jill Evans’ Report and Proposed Amendments to a Revised RoHS Directive (December 2009)
• IPC’s One-Page Position on Proposed RoHS Revisions (November 2009) (.pdf)
• EU Commission’s Proposed Changes to the RoHS Directive (December 2008) (.pdf)
  • IPC Submits Comments to the EU Commission on their Proposed Revisions to the RoHS Directive (January 2008) (.pdf)
  • IPC Press Release: EU Commission Releases Proposed Changes to RoHS Directive IPC Remains Cautious Until Directive is Finalized (December 2008)
• IPC Fact Sheet on the EU Commission’s Proposed RoHS Revisions: What are the issues? (January 2009) (.pdf)

Background

• Contention Over Tetrabromobisphenol(a) Continues IPC Urges Members in Germany and Sweden to Voice Concerns (July 2009)
• 6 New Exemptions Under RoHS for Lead, Cadmium and Mercury (June 2009) (.pdf)
• IPC Submits Comments to the Okö-Institut Regarding their List of Potential Hazardous Substances in EEE (March 2008) (.pdf)
• IPC White Paper on Öko Institut’s Recommendations to EU Commission for Proposed RoHS Revisions (September 2008) (.pdf)
• IPC President Expresses Concerns to the EU Commission (October 2008) (.pdf)
• What Can You Do?