EU RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU)
Update: 2018-04-02
EU RoHS 2 refers to Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It replaced the first EU RoHS directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1) and entered into force on 21 July 2011.
Like RoHS 1, RoHS 2 restricts the use of certain hazardous substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ethers) in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Compared to RoHS 1, RoHS 2 not only expanded the scope of products covered, but also imposed new obligations on EEE manufacturers to prepare EU declaration of conformity and affix CE markings on finished products.
EU RoHS 2 Restricted Substances
RoHS 2 currently restricts 10 hazardous substances in EEE and they are included in the Annex II of the Directive 2011/65/EU.
Status | Substances and Limits |
| Current Restrictions | Cadmium(Cd): 0.01% Mercury: 0.1% Lead(Pb) : 0.1% Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) : 0.1% Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): 0.1 %; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): 0.1 % Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): 0.1% (added in 2015); Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): 0.1% (added in 2015); Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): 0.1% (added in 2015); Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): 0.1% (added in 2015). |
It shall be noted that above maximum concentration values apply to each homogeneous material rather than a product or a part itself. A homogeneous material means material of uniform composition throughout that cannot be mechanically separated into different materials.
Some companies have set stricter limits than above regulatory limits. For example, Apple’s limit for Cadmium in homogeneous material is 0.005%.
