RoHSförordningen

The RoHS Directive, officially Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, is a European Union directive. It restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. The directive aims to protect human health and the environment by preventing the use of these substances in the manufacturing process and making it easier to recycle the equipment.

The directive initially restricted six substances: lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These substances are commonly found in a wide range of electronics, from computers and mobile phones to household appliances and toys.

In 2015, the directive was amended by Directive (EU) 2015/863, which added four more substances to the restricted list, bringing the total to ten. These four substances are bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).

RoHS compliance is mandatory for any electrical or electronic equipment that is to be sold within the European Union. Manufacturers must ensure that their products meet the specified limits for these restricted substances and can demonstrate compliance through appropriate testing and documentation. The directive applies to a broad scope of electrical and electronic equipment, including large and small household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, and medical devices. Exemptions to the RoHS directive may be granted for specific applications where no suitable alternatives are available, subject to strict review.