RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a new European Directive that became effective on July 1, 2006. Electrical and electronic equipment sold in Europe after this date must comply with the strict regulations in this Directive.

The Directive requires that electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU does not contain lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) above the legal threshold. This will effect any organization involved in the production, sale or distribution of electrical and electronic equipment destined for an EU market, such as manufacturers, retailers, brand managers, traders and distributors.

There are two main areas of RoHS compliance risk:

Product material risk: From selecting materials and components in products and using indirect materials in the manufacturing process Supplier risk: From product variation, engineering or manufacturing changes, multiple suppliers and contamination through the supply chain. RoHS Product Certification consists of 3 steps:

Documentation Review to determine the status of existing verification documents and the extent of testing needed. Testing of representative samples according to specific documentation review as well as testing of the homogenous material level for all six restricted substances of RoHS. Surveillance, if documentation review and testing has confirmed compliance, by conducting an Initial Factory Inspection including an audit of the quality system with respect to Restricted Substances Control.