Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

Europe has issued a directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) followed by another directive on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). Essentially, certain electrical and electronic equipment must be free of various hazardous materials so that it does not produce an environmental problem upon disposal.

To be marketable in the EU, certain non-exempt products must contain less than 0.1% lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr⁺⁶), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE), and less than 0.01% cadmium (Cd). Target dates are Summer 2004 for product registrations and July 1, 2006 for the RoHS ban.

EC RoHS Directive

RoHS in UK

C&EN June 2004

RoHS Testing

Industry representatives world over have been discussing various test methods to comply with RoHS. So far the most economical method appears to be screening samples for Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and Br by x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) followed by confirmatory tests if necessary. Confirmatory tests would include Cr⁺⁶ by a diphenyl carbazide color test (such as EPA 7196 or 7199) and PBB and PBDE by GC or GCMS analysis.

While most of these tests are fairly routine, obtaining a representative sample from electrical and electronic equipment may be complicated. Analytical tests are performed on gram sized samples while the electronic components can be large and non-homogenous. Tests should be run on individual, homogenous components.

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Home > Technical Articles > RoHS

EC RoHS Directive

RoHS in UK

C&EN June 2004

RoHS Testing