About ROHS Restriction of Hazardouz Substance Directive

ROHS, or Restriction of Hazardous Substances, is a directive originating from the European Union that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials in electrical and electronic products. Products in the EU market since July 1, 2006, must comply with RoHS regulations. The restricted substances include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, all of which are harmful to the environment and pose risks during manufacturing and recycling.

To ensure compliance, portable ROHS analyzers, also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers, are used for screening and verifying RoHS adherence.

All businesses selling applicable electronic products, sub-assemblies, or components to EU countries, including those selling to resellers, distributors, or integrators in the EU market, are impacted by RoHS regulations. This includes manufacturers, retailers, brand managers, traders, and distributors involved in the production, sale, or distribution of electrical and electronic equipment destined for the EU market. Complying with RoHS is essential to meet environmental standards and protect both consumers and workers from exposure to hazardous materials.

How to Apply for RoHS Certification

• Finalize the Product(s) for Certification: Decide on the specific product(s) to be RoHS certified, whether different products or a range of the same product.
• Contact IBC with Application Form: Get in touch with IBC and submit the completed Application form to discuss certification details.
• Submit First Documentation: Provide initial documentation, including test certificates, based on the Certification standard.
• Ensure Compliance: IBC reviews the documentation to ensure it meets RoHS compliance requirements.
• Product Audit: IBC conducts an audit to verify product compliance with RoHS standards.
• Submit Final Documentation: After the audit, submit the final documentation with any necessary clarifications.
• Final Document Evaluation: IBC evaluates the final documentation and audit results.
• RoHS Certification Award: Upon successful evaluation, IBC awards the RoHS certification to the product(s), confirming compliance with RoHS regulations.

Benefits of RoHS Certification

1. RoHS certification helps avoid costs associated with removing hazardous substances from production processes and storage areas.
2. Noncompliance with RoHS regulations can lead to significant penalties, including fines of up to €1 million or 2% of annual turnover, imposed by the European Union.
3. The EPA and OSHA in the U.S. are enforcing environmental regulations that require RoHS compliance.
4. Anticipating future recycling or disposal laws for electronic components, manufacturers should be prepared to implement recycling programs to comply with emerging requirements.
5. IBC offers exceptional support and certification services for informed product manufacturing decisions.
6. IBC is a leading, independent, and globally recognized testing laboratory with 25 years of experience in metal detection and analysis, serving diverse industries from oil and gas to manufacturing and mining.

Rohs Certification Procedure for ROHS Certification

1. Complete the IBC application with detailed information about the product for which you seek RoHS certification.
2. Upon approval, receive a quotation from IBC.
3. After accepting the quotation, IBC will provide a tailored project management plan for your RoHS certification, including test plans and specifications.
4. Tests are conducted under IBC supervision or by an accredited laboratory, depending on the agreement.
5. Once testing is done, all data is compiled into a certification report, along with the certificate and samples of non-RoHS compliant material, which are provided to you for future reference.
6. The certification process typically takes 15-20 working days, unless the product or its components pose complexities in testing.

Processes Involved During Testing

RoHS testing involves various processes like destructive and non-destructive testing, including x-ray fluorescence (XRF), eddy current, mechanical sorting, and metal detection. Destructive testing makes certain components non-functional, while non-destructive tests like XRF are used for metal parts. Eddy current testing suits both destructive and non-destructive evaluation of inductors, transformers, coils, and chokes. Mechanical sorting distinguishes plastic or metal housings on electronic components. Metal detection is crucial to ensure no hazardous metals enter the production environment.

RoHS certification allows CE marking, ensuring EU compliance and safety standards. Non-compliant products may face penalties, fines, confiscation, or recalls.

IBC offers testing and diagnostic services for compliance with regulations like RoHS, EN Standards, EICC, ITAR, and CGAP. Testing identifies hazardous metals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium, safeguarding both people and the environment.

For more details on the ROHS certification procedure, contact us for a free discussion and request a quote.