How to Obtain ROHS Compliance: A step by step guide

Overview of RoHS

RoHS refers to "Restriction of Hazardous Substance.” It is a directive formed by the European Union and later adopted by many other countries like India, China, and the UAE. It restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.

The RoHS Directive has the main aim to prevent the risks caused to human health and the environment related to the management of electronic and electrical waste. This is done by restricting the use of certain harmful substances in EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment), which can be substituted by adopting some safer alternatives.

Restricted Substances Under RoHS 3

The Directive restricts the use of these ten substances:

Four heavy metals:

• Chromium hexavalent
• Lead
• Mercury
• Cadmium and their compounds. 

Two brominated families:

• Polybrominated biphenyls and
• Polybrominated diphenyl ether

Four Phthalates:

• DEHP
• BBP
• DBP
• DIBP

You need to be compliant if you are a manufacturer or importer of electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) and you are placing that equipment on the market in the European Union, China, India, or any other country that has adopted these directives.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Obtain RoHS Compliance

It is essential for electronic and electrical products to confirm they are in compliance with RoHS 3 (Directive 2011/65/EU). Following is a step-by-step guide to obtaining RoHS compliance:

Step 1: Define the Product Scope: Ensure if your product falls under the RoHS directive. The directive includes various electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) like:

• Household appliances
• Medical devices
• Consumer electronics
• Telecommunications equipment

Your product can be exempted if it falls under the following products:

1. Military Equipment
2. Aerospace Equipment
3. Products under Research and Development
4. Medical Devices
5. Large-Scale Industrial Application
6. Photovoltaic Solar Panels
7. Some specific electronic components like lead-based solders, mercury in lightning applications, and cadmium in photo resistors.

Step 2: Create a Bill of Materials (BOM): A bill of material is a list of all the components and materials used in your product. To create a BOM, list all the components and material used in your product and identify any restricted substances under the directive. A list of restricted substances is stated above.

Step 3: Getting Supplier Declarations: Request a declaration from the supplier for each item listed in your BOM stating whether components used are in compliance with the RoHS Directive and which version of the directive it complies with.

Step 4: Laboratory Testing: If unable to obtain supplier declarations, manufacturers can also use laboratory testing to verify that they are compliant with the directive.

Send the product samples to an accredited laboratory for RoHS testing. A lab test for the presence of restricted substances is done by these four methods:

1. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) screening
2. ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry)
3. GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry)
4. UV-Vis Spectroscopy

Step 5: Compilation of Technical Documentation: Preparing a Technical File (TF) that covers:

1. Bill of Materials (BOM)
2. Supplier declarations
3. Product description
4. Risk assessments
5. Test reports from accredited labs
6. Manufacturing process details

These documents are very important for creating a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and demonstrating RoHS compliance of the product.

Step 6: Self-Declaration of RoHS Compliance: After compiling all the documents (like the bill of material, supplier declaration, and test reports), the company can demonstrate RoHS compliance through self-declaration.

The company themselves can create and sign a Declaration of Conformity (Doc), affixing the CE marking.

Step 9: Maintain Compliance & Conduct Periodic Testing: It is necessary to test materials regularly and update documentation. Also ensure proper labeling and documentation for authorities and customers.

Conclusion

RoHS compliance is a process of self-declaration by the manufacturer, importer, or distributer. To obtain RoHS compliance, they must compile all the technical documents, like the bill of material, supplier declarations, and lab test reports. After compilation of all the documents, they can create and sign a Declaration of Conformity (DoC), affix the CE marking to the product, and maintain ongoing compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's):

1. Does RoHS apply to plastics?

Ans: Yes, RoHS applies to plastics. If a plastic component is used in electrical equipment, then it must be RoHS-compliant unless it falls under the exemptions

2. How long is a RoHS certificate valid?

Ans: The RoHS certification is valid as long as it complies with the RoHS Directive.

3. What are the requirements for RoHS certification?

Ans: Documents required for acquiring RoHS compliance are product description, bill of materials, seller declaration, or lab test results.

4. What is the permissible limit for RoHS?

Ans: RoHS limits for the restricted substances are 0.1% or 1,000 ppm

5. Why is RoHS compliance important?

Ans: RoHS Compliance ensures environmental and human health safety. It is mandatory to obtain RoHS compliance for selling electronic products in the EU, India, China, and other regions.