RoHS is a mandatory standard established by EU legislation. Its full name is "Restriction of Hazardous Substances" (Restriction of Hazardous Substances). The standard has been formally implemented since July 1, 2006, and is mainly used to regulate the materials and process standards of electronic and electrical products, making it more conducive to human health and environmental protection.
The new version of the EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU was released on July 1, 2011. At present, the original six items (lead Pb, cadmium Cd, mercury Hg, hexavalent chromium CrVI, polybrominated biphenyl PBB, polybrominated diphenyl ether PBDE) are still maintained; there is no increase in the four items mentioned previously (HBCDD, DEHP, DBP and BBP), but only priority Assessment.
As a directive very familiar to Chinese electrical and electronic product manufacturing enterprises, its introduction process can be described as twists and turns. Due to the great differences between the parties in the revision process, this amendment, which was originally intended to be introduced in 2009, has been delayed. In particular, there is a heated debate within the EU including the Commission, the European Parliament, the Council, the industry, and NGOs regarding whether to expand the range of products and restricted substances.
2011/65/EU is different from the original RoHS directive mainly in:
1. Expanded product range: Medical equipment and monitoring equipment are included in the scope of management and control. In addition, the eleventh category of products not included in the previous ten electrical and electronic equipment has been added. All electrical and electronic products are covered by the scope of the directive (including cables and spare parts), and certain requirements are set for Class 8 medical devices and Class 9 monitoring and control instruments (including industrial monitoring instruments) In the transition period, in addition, 20 exemptions are given for these two types of products (listed in Annex IV);
Expanded application schedule of electrical and electronic products regulations:
– July 22, 2014 Medical equipment and monitoring equipment
– July 22, 2016 In vitro diagnostic medical equipment
– July 22, 2017 Industrial monitoring equipment
– July 22, 2019 Electrical and electronic equipment not listed on it and the scope of application of the previous RoHS directive
2. The scope of controlled substances has not been expanded, and the original limit requirements for the six substances have been maintained, but it is proposed that in the future review process, substances including DEHP shall be subject to priority inspection to expand the control in the future The paving of the scope of the substance;
3. Manufacturers, importers and distributors have a clearer definition and further standardize their responsibilities. In addition, manufacturers and importers must continue to register EEE products that do not meet the requirements of the directive and recall, and pass relevant information to distributors. An authorized representative can be appointed to replace manufacturers outside the EU to perform relevant duties in compliance with CE marking and RoHS directives.
4. It stipulates that the product needs to be attached with the CE mark and CE mark related matters: before the EEE product is placed on the market, the manufacturer/importer/distributor must ensure that the conformity assessment has been carried out in accordance with 768/2008/EC Appendix II Module A The procedure has been evaluated and the CE mark must be affixed to the final product. The relevant technical documents and the declaration of conformity of the EU must be retained for at least 10 years.
This directive will take effect on the 20th day of the OJ. Member States need to translate it into national laws before January 2, 2013, that is, the new directive will be officially implemented on January 3, 2013, and the old directive 2002/95/ EC is also abolished.