Which substances are restricted under the RoHS Directive?
What is RoHS?
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. It concerns Directive 2011/65/EU — also known as RoHS 2 — that restricts the use of specific hazardous substances found in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The directive was originally adopted in 2003 (RoHS 1) and came into effect in July 2006, with RoHS 2 replacing and updating it in January 2013.
The growing production and use of electrical and electronic devices — including mobile phones, computers, and household appliances — has led to a significant increase in electronic waste. During their use and eventual disposal, these products can release hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, posing serious risks to human health and the environment. To tackle these concerns, the European Union has introduced the RoHS Directive, which limits the use of specific dangerous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
In summary, the main objectives of RoHS are:
- Protect human health and the environment by limiting the use of harmful substances in electronic products.
- Encourage recycling and environmentally responsible disposal of electronic waste (e-waste).
- Harmonize environmental standards across the EU to support the free circulation of goods.
Revision of the original directive
Over the years, the RoHS Directive has been revised multiple times, each update progressively strengthening and expanding its scope.
- RoHS 1 refers to the original Directive 2002/95/EC, which was introduced by the European Union in 2002 and restricts the use of six hazardous substances. All applicable electrical and electronic products in the EU market must pass RoHS compliance since July 1, 2006.
- RoHS 2 refers to Directive 2011/65/EU that replaced RoHS 1 and came into force in 2011. CE marking became mandatory, in this way RoHS compliance became part of the CE conformity process. The scope of the directive was also expanded, gradually bringing all electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) under RoHS, unless specifically exempted. RoHS 2 also ensured better alignment with other EU legislation, such as the REACH Regulation. Despite these structural changes, the list of restricted substances remained the same as under RoHS 1, covering six hazardous materials.
- RoHS 3 refers to amendment 2015/863/EU to Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2). RoHS 3 added four additional substances to the existing list, making a total of 10 restricted substances.
Which substances are restricted?
RoHS currently restricts the following 10 hazardous substances:
| Substance | Maximum Allowable Concentration |
| Lead (Pb) | 0.1% |
| Mercury (Hg) | 0.1% |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 0.01% |
| Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) | 0.1% |
| Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) | 0.1% |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | 0.1% |
| Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) | 0.1% |
| Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) | 0.1% |
| Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) | 0.1% |
| Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) | 0.1% |
These limits apply to each homogeneous material in a product, not to the overall product weight.
RoHS compliance and CE marking
RoHS applies to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment sold within the European Economic Area (EEA).
It covers a wide range of products, including:
It covers a wide range of products, including:
- Consumer electronics (TVs, smartphones, laptops)
- Household appliances (refrigerators, microwaves)
- Lighting equipment
- Power tools
- Medical devices (with phased compliance)
- Monitoring and control instruments
Furthermore, RoHS compliance is required to obtain the CE marking, which is mandatory for selling products in the EU. Non-compliance may result in product recalls, financial penalties, and restrictions on market access. To comply with the RoHS Directive, companies are required to take several important steps. They must conduct risk assessments and prepare detailed technical documentation demonstrating compliance. Additionally, they need to issue a Declaration of Conformity and ensure that their entire supply chain meets RoHS requirements.
Beyond compliance, RoHS also contributes significantly to sustainability and supports the objectives of the European Green Deal. It plays a key role in promoting a circular economy by helping to reduce environmental pollution caused by electronic waste, encouraging the use of safer materials, and driving eco-friendly product design and innovation across the electronics industry.
We ensure that none of the restricted substances are intentionally used in the manufacturing or packaging of our products.
All Sentera products are compliant to RoHS 3 Directive 2015/863/EU.
RoHS directive should not be confused with REACH regulation. The differences between both legislations are explained here.