What is RoHS Compliance?

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RoHS Compliance Definition

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, is a product-level compliance regulation that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products (EEE) and originated in the European Union. All applicable products in the EU after July 1, 2006, must adhere to RoHS compliance. Products that are RoHS compliant do not exceed the allowable amounts of the following restricted materials: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), with some limited exemptions. The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and create occupational exposure risks during manufacturing and recycling.

This directive affects manufacturers, their authorized representatives, importers, and distributors of products including household appliances, computers, consumer electronics, power tools, toys, and more.

Synergizing PLM and QMS for Strategic RoHS Compliance and Enhanced Product Integrity

Both PLM and QMS help organizations achieve RoHS compliance by allowing them to systematically manage product data, control quality processes, and ensure that products are free of restricted substances, lowering the risk of regulatory violations and improving product safety and sustainability.

FAQs

Do you need a RoHS certificate of compliance?

All applicable products released to the EU market after July 1, 2006, must be tested and audited for RoHS compliance. Upon a successful audit, a certificate or declaration of conformity will be granted.

*Source: https://www.rohsguide.com/rohs-faq.htm

Why is RoHS compliance important to the environment?

The RoHS Directive’s principal goal is to eliminate dangers to human health and the environment associated with the handling of electronic and electrical waste. In addition, the directive promotes EEE recyclability while also ensuring an equal playing field for EU makers and importers of EEE.

*Source: https://blog.clevercompliance.io

How do you prove RoHS compliance?

Companies must gather data from their supply chain to demonstrate compliance with the RoHS Directive. This necessitates ongoing communication with suppliers to get substance data on parts at the homogeneous material level. Companies can acquire RoHS compliance certifications from their suppliers for parts used in the final product or equipment to reduce the burden of compliance. Before a Declaration of Conformity can be issued, organizations must adhere to a number of requirements and duties referencing RoHS 2.

*Source: https://www.assent.com

Best Practices for Quality & Compliance

Read our guides to learn best practices on how to eliminate issues and risks and launch high-quality, compliant products to market.

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Navigating RoHS Compliance: The Synergistic Role of PLM and QMS in Ensuring Product Safety and Sustainability

Product lifecycle management (PLM) and quality management systems (QMS) are both critical to ensuring compliance with restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) rules, which seek to limit the use of specified hazardous elements present in electrical and electronic devices. Despite their varied roles within a business, PLM and QMS partake in a shared goal of aiding RoHS compliance through comprehensive data management, process control, and quality assurance.

Enhancing RoHS Compliance through PLM: From Design to Disposal

PLM systems provide a standardized framework for managing the entire product lifetime, from design to disposal. In terms of RoHS compliance, PLM allows enterprises to document and trace the use of materials and components, ensuring that products fulfill the stringent standards established by RoHS legislation. It aids in identifying and substituting hazardous compounds during the design process, consequently avoiding noncompliance difficulties later in the product’s lifecycle. Furthermore, PLM facilitates the preparation of specific product documentation required for RoHS compliance, such as material declarations and compliance certificates.

Leveraging QMS for Robust RoHS Compliance and Continuous Quality Improvement

Similarly, QMS aims to build consistent quality processes that are compliant with regulatory criteria. For RoHS compliance, QMS guarantees that manufacturing and quality control systems are designed to avoid the introduction of prohibited compounds into goods. It allows for regular audits and inspections to ensure compliance with RoHS regulations, as well as corrective actions for any faults discovered. QMS helps firms stay in compliance with changing RoHS requirements by implementing continuous improvement strategies.