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ROHS Certification

What Is RoHS Certification?

RoHS CertificationRoHS Certification helps manufacturers and businesses demonstrate compliance with requirements that restrict certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS refers to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances framework, which limits the use of specified substances in electrical and electronic products. These restrictions help reduce the use of hazardous materials and support safer products and environmental protection.

The RoHS compliance process generally involves identifying the requirements applicable to a product, reviewing the materials and components used, and maintaining appropriate compliance documentation. Manufacturers and businesses should evaluate their products against the applicable restricted substance requirements and keep relevant records.

When will the the directive be in effect and enforced?

As of July 1, 2006 all electronic and electrical products put on the European market must comply with EU Directive 2002/95/EC. There are no exceptions for pre-existing inventory which means that manufacturers products must be compliant before the July 1, 2006 cut off date.

RoHS Training Seems to Be Effective in UK

Chris Smith heads the National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML), which is in charge of RoHS enforcement in the UK. Smith recently told the media 99 percent of products examined by the NWML are meeting 99 percent of the requirements. This means that since the RoHS directive came into action in the EU in July 2006, the majority of companies are complying with the directive.
According to Smith, most companies who have not been compliant have become so after only some RoHS training. Only a few firms have had to be prosecuted in order to ensure compliance. Smith notes that the most common faults in UK companies tend to be higher-than-permitted levels of hexavalent chromium and unacceptably high levels of lead in plastic components. NWML determines RoHS compliance using documentation and a screening system which includes the use of a metal. Businesses looking to strengthen their overall quality management can also explore ISO 9001 Certification.