RoHS

The restriction of lead and nine other potentially hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment is specified by the EU-Directive 2011/65/EU.

As a value-oriented company, Weidmüller is aware of its responsibility to customers, employees, the community and the environment. This is why it is self-evident for Weidmüller to assume responsibility in the context of the ROHS directive 2011/65/EU. In this context we would like to give you an overview about the contents of the directive.

Indicators to RoHS directive 2011/65/EU
In December 2008, the European Commission proposed to recast Directive 2002/95/EC.
The result of this recast is Directive 2011/65/EU (hereafter referred to as the “Recast RoHS Directive” or “RoHS II”), which was finally adopted on 27 May 2011. The Recast RoHS Directive has been published in the Official Journal of the EU on 1st July 2011 and entered into force on 21st July 2011. Member States had to transpose the Recast RoHS Directive into national law by 2nd January 2013 at the latest.

The RoHS directive is subject to a continuous re-evaluation cycle. This means that every four years new substances might be forbidden or exceptional rules might be omitted or newly affiliated.

In July 2019, an extension of Annex II of the Directive has taken place via amendment (EU)2015/863. The list of regulated substances was extended by four so-called plasticisers. However, the original name of Directive 2011/65/EU remains unchanged.

Effective the following substances used in electronic products are within the limits of the directive:

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Hexavalent chrome (Cr (VI))
  • Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)
  • Polybrominated diphenyl ehters (PBDE)
  • Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

Due to the fact that not all substances can be easily substituted from electrical and electronic products, Annex A of the Directive contains a list of exemptions. These exemptions apply for a limited period of time, across materials or depending on the application.

Classes of equipment ROHS:

  • Large household appliances
  • Small household appliances
  • IT and telecommunications equipment
  • Consumer equipment
  • Lighting equipment
  • Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
  • Toys, leisure and sports equipment
  • Medical devices
  • Monitoring and control instruments including industrial monitoring and control instruments
  • Automatic dispensers
  • Other electrical and electronic equipment not covered by any of the categories above