RoHS Certification stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, namely the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. It is a mandatory environmental regulation formulated by the European Union. Its core objective is to restrict the use of toxic and hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and reduce harm to human health and the environment.

I. Core Controlled Scope and Substances

1. Applicable Products Initially, it covered eight categories of electrical and electronic equipment (such as home appliances, IT equipment, communication equipment, lighting equipment, toys, etc.). The revised RoHS 2.0 (Directive 2011/65/EU) issued in 2019 extended the scope to all electrical and electronic equipment (except products listed in the exemption inventory).

2. Controlled Substances and Limit Values RoHS 2.0 regulates 10 hazardous substances. The limit requirements are shown below (all by weight percentage):

   Substance Name	Limit	Main Hazards
   Lead (Pb)	0.1%	Damages nervous system and hematopoietic system
   Mercury (Hg)	0.1%	Damages kidneys and central nervous system
   Cadmium (Cd)	0.01%	Carcinogenic, damages kidneys and bones
   Hexavalent Chromium (Cr⁶⁺)	0.1%	Carcinogenic, irritates skin and mucous membranes
   Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs)	0.1%	Persistent organic pollutants, endocrine disruptors
   Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)	0.1%	Same as above
   Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)	0.1%	Reproductive toxicity, endocrine disruptor
   Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP)	0.1%	Same as above
   Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)	0.1%	Same as above
   Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP)	0.1%	Same as above

II. Certification Nature and Compliance Requirements

1. Certification Nature RoHS is not a traditional "third-party certification", but a self-declaration compliance regime:

• Enterprises shall verify that products meet limit values through testing or supply chain assessment;

• Compile Technical Documentation and Declaration of Conformity (DoC);

• Affix the CE Marking on products or packaging (RoHS is one of the prerequisites for CE marking).

2. Testing and Compliance Process

1. Confirm whether the product falls within RoHS control scope and check exemption clauses;

2. Conduct hazardous substance testing on homogeneous materials of products (to be completed by qualified laboratories);

3. Collect supply chain material declarations (such as RoHS compliance certificates provided by suppliers);

4. Prepare technical documentation and Declaration of Conformity. Products can enter the EU market after CE marking is applied.

III. Notes

1. Differences from China RoHS China has issued the corresponding Measures for the Administration of Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products (commonly known as China RoHS). The controlled substances are basically consistent with EU RoHS, but it adopts a catalog management + self-declaration implementation mode with a relatively narrower control scope.

2. Common Misconceptions

• Misconception 1: "A RoHS certification certificate is a mandatory document for access to the EU" — The EU does not mandate third-party certificates. The Declaration of Conformity serves as the core document, while third-party test reports only act as supporting evidence for compliance.

• Misconception 2: "All products need RoHS compliance" — Exempted products (such as medical equipment, aerospace equipment, etc.) are temporarily exempted from implementation.

3. Connection with Dual Carbon Goals and Sustainable Development Most hazardous substances regulated under RoHS are highly polluting and hard to degrade. Compliant products are easier to recycle and reuse, complying with development requirements for green supply chains and circular economy under the Dual Carbon goals. It also acts as an important measure for enterprises to improve market competitiveness.