RoHS: Restriction of Hazardous Substances (Directive 2011/65/EU)

Overview

RoHS keeps specific toxic substances out of electronics. It limits how much lead, mercury and similar materials a circuit board may contain, and the caps are very low.

Key point

Ten substances, capped at 0.1% by weight in each homogeneous material, except cadmium at 0.01%. You prove it with a CE mark, an EU Declaration of Conformity, and technical documentation (see EN IEC 63000).

PbLead (Pb)0.1%HgMercury (Hg)0.1%CdCadmium (Cd)0.01%CrHex. chromium0.1%PBB0.1%PBDE0.1%4 phthalates0.1%

What it restricts

RoHS restricts ten substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The maximum concentration is 0.1% by weight in each homogeneous material. The one exception is cadmium, which is capped at 0.01%.

| # | Substance | Limit (by weight, per homogeneous material) | |---|-----------|---------------------------------------------| | 1 | Lead (Pb) | 0.1% | | 2 | Mercury (Hg) | 0.1% | | 3 | Cadmium (Cd) | 0.01% | | 4 | Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) | 0.1% | | 5 | Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) | 0.1% | | 6 | Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | 0.1% | | 7–10 | Phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP | 0.1% each |

The four phthalates were added by Directive (EU) 2015/863, often called "RoHS 3".

Why the limit is "per homogeneous material"

The threshold does not apply to the whole product. It applies to each homogeneous material, meaning the smallest unit that cannot be mechanically separated. That is why suppliers have to declare composition at a fine level of detail, for example through a Full Material Declaration.

History

2002/95/EC

RoHS 1

The original directive, which restricted six substances

2011/65/EU

RoHS 2 (recast)

Added CE marking and broadened the scope so all EEE is covered unless excluded, across Categories 1–11

(EU) 2015/863

RoHS 3

Added the four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP)

How compliance is shown

Proving RoHS compliance means building a paper trail from supplier data to the CE mark.

1Gather supplier data

Material and substance declarations per part (for example IPC-1752A or IEC 62474).

2Assess against limits

Check each homogeneous material against the limits and apply any exemption.

3Compile the technical file

Document the assessment to EN IEC 63000 for a presumption of conformity.

4CE mark and DoC

Draw up the EU Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark.

Exemptions (Annexes III and IV) allow named uses, such as certain solders, for limited periods that are reviewed regularly. Browse all 157 exemptions.

How it relates to other topics

REACH is the broader EU chemicals regulation. RoHS targets a fixed list specifically in electronics, while REACH covers all substances.
Data to prove RoHS compliance flows through formats like IPC-1752A and IEC 62474.

Note: this is a general educational summary maintained by the Pareo team, not legal advice. Confirm substances, limits, scope categories and exemptions against the official directive before relying on them in a compliance decision.