RoHS compliance is an important consideration for IoT and other electronic and electrical device companies, especially the ones that export and sell to the European Union. Along with other certifications, RoHS certification helps prevent the usage of hazardous substances in the manufacturing of electrical and electronic devices.
This article explores RoHS compliance and related things that you must know as an IoT or electrical/electronic device company.
What is RoHS certification?
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances and is also known as the Directive 2002/95/EC. This directive of the European Union was created to stop the usage of hazardous materials in the manufacturing of EEE products, which are electrical and electronic products.
Materials restricted as per the RoHS compliance
RoHS restricts the use of these materials:
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Hexavalent chromium (CrVI)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
It also restricts four different phthalates:
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
The directive also mentions the maximum threshold limits for all these materials. The presence of these materials above the maximum threshold is not allowed.
Testing of EEE devices for RoHS compliance
RoHS testing of EEE devices is done using RoHS analysers, which are also commonly known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analysers.
These analysers can effectively screen devices for the presence of restricted materials.
WEEE and its link to the RoHS compliance
WEEE, also known as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, is another directive passed in the EU that lists the responsibilities and contributions w.r.t. collection, recycling, and recovery steps for electronic waste.
There are specific guidelines for different countries, and a compliance expert can help you make sure you follow every guideline before you start manufacturing.
Amendments in the regulations
Amendments have occurred in the regulations, which we know as RoHS 2 and RoHS 3. The EU committees make changes and review the policies from time to time to make sure the certifications are in line with sustainability and other environmental goals.
Validity of the RoHS certification
The RoHS certificate is valid for 5 years from the time of issue.
Other regulations that you must follow along with RoHS
Along with RoHS certification, EEE device companies must consider specific certifications before planning to manufacture. These would totally differ for different devices, but some examples are:
- IP rating
- NEMA rating
- UL compliance
- REACH
- And others
How can Karkhana.io help you manufacture world-class IoT devices?
Compliance is a key consideration for IoT and other EEE device companies. Small challenges and issues can create huge problems for companies, like the rejection of large sets of inventory, compliance issues, export challenges, and others.
Compliance must be planned before you start manufacturing, and we at Karkhana.io help companies access manufacturing experts with years of experience in compliance-related matters. You can choose detailed DfM feedback, which can include feedback and information about relevant, required, and recommended certifications for your specific device.
We help you take the right approach regarding compliance while keeping cost, design, manufacturing processes and other factors in mind.
Not just that, you also get access to numerous other services designed to address common challenges faced by EEE device companies on Karkhana.io’s digital manufacturing platform. You get 1-click access to instant quotations for different manufacturing processes, end-to-end project management, DfM feedback via our expert engineers, regular QC, audits of suppliers, logistics, payments, sharing project files within your organization on the platform dashboard, viewing your CAD files, and many other features.
Looking for world-class manufacturing for your IoT or EEE device? Start by registering on our digital platform.
