RoHS Certification

About RoHS Certification

RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union and restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products in the EU market after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance.

The substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and pollute landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.

Portable RoHS analyzers, also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers, are used for screening and verification of RoHS compliance.

Any business that sells applicable electronic products, sub-assemblies, or components directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors, or integrators that in turn sell products to EU countries, is impacted if they utilize any of the restricted materials. RoHS should be complied with by any organization involved in the production, sale or distribution of electrical and electronic equipment destined for the EU market.

Who Needs RoHS Certification?

RoHS applies to anyone placing electrical or electronic equipment on the EU/EEA market, including:

Benefits of RoHS Certification

• Helps in avoiding costs that would be incurred for the removal of hazardous substances from production processes, assembly and storage areas.
• Noncompliance can result in substantial penalties levied by the European Union's governing body for RoHS violations, including fines of up to €1 million or 2 percent of total annual turnover.
• The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Labor (OSHA) have also begun to enforce environmental regulations that require RoHS compliance.
• Many communities and states are considering tougher recycling or disposal laws for electronic components, so it's in the manufacturer's best interest to be prepared to implement a recycling program as soon as they are required by law.
• IAS offers world-class support and certification services that help you make the right choices when it comes to product manufacturing.
• IAS is a leading independent, globally recognized testing laboratory with over 25 years of experience in metal detection and analysis. The company's reputation for dependable service has led to an international client base in sectors ranging from oil, gas, power generation and aerospace to manufacturing, materials science and mining.

Processes Involved During Testing

• There are many different processes involved in RoHS testing such as destructive and non-destructive testing, x-ray fluorescence (XRF), eddy current, mechanical sorting, and metal detection.
• Destructive testing involves exposing the product to a destructive test that makes it non-functional. This type of testing can be used for components such as switches, contacts, printed circuit boards, and relays.
• Non-destructive tests such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF) are typically used for metal components such as connectors, pins, and terminals.
• Eddy current testing is a popular choice that allows for both destructive and non-destructive testing of inductors, transformers, coils, and chokes.
• Mechanical sorting can help identify the difference between plastic or metal housings on different electronic components.
• Metal detection is perhaps the most important process in RoHS testing as this method helps ensure that no hazardous metals make it into a production environment.
• RoHS certification allows products to be labeled with the CE mark, which ensures compliance with European Union (EU) legislation and safety standards.
• Products that do not meet the RoHS requirements may also be subject to penalties such as fines, confiscation, or recalls.
• IAS testing and diagnostic services are often required by companies that fall under the following regulations: EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), European Standards Organisation EN Standards, U.S. Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), and the Canadian Controlled Goods Program (CGAP).
• The testing methods involved in IAS RoHS certification are designed to identify all the hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. This is an important step toward safeguarding both people and the environment.