What is RoHS Compliance?

Loosely speaking, it means "Restriction of Hazardous Substances" (RoHS). It refers to a directive more specifically known as "DIRECTIVE 2002/95/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 27 January 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment"
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Most agree that this is a precursor to outright banning of these substances. What this means to you, the exporter, is that you need an ongoing program to ensure that your products and components meet or exceed the screening guidelines for RoHS compliance testing.

What materials are restricted by RoHS?

The following materials may not exceed certain levels in order to comply with RoHS: lead .1%, cadmium .01%, mercury .1%, hexavalent chromium .1%, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants .1%.

According to Article 4(1) of the directive:
"Member States shall ensure that, from 1 July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market does not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). National measures restricting or prohibiting the use of these substances in electrical and electronic equipment which were adopted in line with Community legislation before the adoption of this Directive may be maintained until 1 July 2006."

Are there exceptions allowed for RoHS Compliance?

Yes, as stated in the directive annex, the following applications of lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium are exempted from the RoHS Compliance requirements of Article 4(1)

1. Mercury in compact fluorescent lamps not exceeding 5 mg per lamp.
2. Mercury in straight fluorescent lamps for general purposes not exceeding:.
-- halophosphate 10 mg
-- triphosphate with normal lifetime 5 mg
-- triphosphate with long lifetime 8 mg.
3. Mercury in straight fluorescent lamps for special purposes.
4. Mercury in other lamps not specifically mentioned in this Annex.
5. Lead in glass of cathode ray tubes, electronic components and fluorescent tubes.
6. Lead as an alloying element in steel containing up to 0,35 % lead by weight, aluminium containing up to 0,4 % lead by weight and as a copper alloy containing up to 4 % lead by weight.
7. -- Lead in high melting temperature type solders (i.e. tin-lead solder alloys containing more than 85 % lead),
-- lead in solders for servers, storage and storage array systems (exemption granted until 2010),
-- lead in solders for network infrastructure equipment for switching, signalling, transmission as well as network management for telecommunication,
-- lead in electronic ceramic parts (e.g. piezoelectronic devices).
8. Cadmium plating except for applications banned under Directive 91/338/EEC (1) amending Directive 76/769/EEC (2) relating to restrictions on the marketing and use of certain dangerous substances and preparations.
9. Hexavalent chromium as an anti-corrosion of the carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators.
10. Within the procedure referred to in Article 7(2), the Commission shall evaluate the applications for:
-- Deca BDE,
-- mercury in straight fluorescent lamps for special purposes,
-- lead in solders for servers, storage and storage array systems, network infrastructure equipment for switching,
signalling, transmission as well as network management for telecommunications (with a view to setting a specific time limit for this exemption), and
-- light bulbs, as a matter of priority in order to establish as soon as possible whether these items are to be amended accordingly.
Above quoted from the directive.

Also an exemption of parts produced for the repair and upgrading of equipment that was in the market prior to July 01, 2006.

How do I Verify RoHS Compliance?

Most OEMs will accept test data from a testing laboratory, and documentation which demonstrates efforts to verify compliance. By request, you, the supplier, will need to verify compliance of materials, parts, components, and products to the RoHS Compliance Specification using analytical laboratory testing.

While the directive does not specifically state by which methods a supplier can establish RoHS compliance certification, it is widely believed that a process of "self declaration" will be employed. However, most producers will be checking supplier materials declarations by analysis. You will need to do ongoing random testing to ensure your product will continue to be accepted under the guidelines of this directive.

Can I outsource my RoHS Compliance testing?

Electri-Lab Screening Services is offering its state-of-the-art XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) screening lab & certified technical staff to companies needing technical expertise with RoHS compliance (7/1/2006). Our screening services are thorough, affordable and available to anyone needing time sensitive RoHS compliance testing.

RoHS restrictions we sample include: Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) & Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether. (PBDE)

Screening Process: Samples are screened for elemental and structural composition using the latest XRF technology process. Registered readings for each screened element are compared to RoHS compliance tolerances and confidential results reported to you in a detailed results document.

Sample Submission: Samples should be at the raw material stage for best screening results. Call us with your specific screening requests and we will advise you of what we need to accurately screen your sample. Samples should have a uniform composition, examples are: solders, coatings, resins, or plating materials used in the manufacture of parts or components.

CONTACT US FOR COMPLETE DETAILS:
Electri-Cord Manufacturing Co. 312 East Main Street P. O. Box 167 Westfield, PA 16950-0167	David Hunt, Quality Manager Phone 814-367-2265 FAX 2314 hunt@electri-cord.com www.electri-cord.com	© 2006 Electri-Lab is a division of