RoHS Certificate (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

What is the RoHS Certificate

The RoHS Certificate (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) refers to a regulation that limits the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS is a directive in force in the European Union (EU) that exists to reduce the environmental and human-health impact of electrical and electronic products.

The RoHS Certificate is available to manufacturers, importers, and distributors of electrical and electronic equipment. It shows that the products conform with the RoHS Directive and that the levels of the listed hazardous substances stay within the defined limits.

The RoHS Certificate restricts the use of the following hazardous substances:

Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

The purpose of the RoHS Certificate is to reduce environmental and health risks in waste handling by limiting the use of these hazardous substances. RoHS-compliant products are seen as safer and more environmentally responsible.

The RoHS Certificate evidences a company's environmental responsibility and confirms that it brings reliable, environmentally responsible products to its customers. RoHS-compliant products also bring a marketing edge and a competitive position by meeting customer expectations.

Why Eurocert for the RoHS Certificate

A few reasons to choose Eurocert for the RoHS Certificate:

Expertise and Experience: Eurocert focuses on environmental certification and conformity assessment, with the knowledge needed to run a RoHS Certificate project. The team works closely with the RoHS Directive and its requirements and guides customers through the process.
International Validity: Eurocert certification is accepted and recognised across markets. With a RoHS Certificate that holds internationally, your products can be shown and sold in export markets. Working with Eurocert evidences your conformity with international standards.
Reliability and Reputation: Customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders see Eurocert as a reliable body. Holding the RoHS Certificate tells customers and other market players that your products are environmentally responsible and conform with the RoHS requirements. Your reputation strengthens and you gain a competitive position.
Customer Focus: Eurocert takes a customer-focused approach to the work. We understand your business's needs and requirements and offer specific approaches for the RoHS Certificate. Working customer-first, we help you act in line with your business goals.
Process Management: Eurocert runs the RoHS Certificate process effectively. We follow the steps, manage the document preparation, testing, and assessment, and keep the project on time and on track.

Expertise, international validity, reliability, customer focus, and effective process management are the reasons businesses looking for the RoHS Certificate choose Eurocert. Working with Eurocert helps you show your business's environmental responsibility and win a competitive position in the market.

Product Groups Where the RoHS Certificate is Mandatory

The RoHS Certificate refers to a regulation that limits the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The product groups for which conformity is mandatory:

Large Household Appliances: Refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, ovens, hobs, and microwave ovens fall under the RoHS Certificate requirements.
Small Household Appliances: Vacuum cleaners, irons, toasters, electric kettles, and heaters also need to meet the RoHS Certificate requirements.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Products: Computers, laptops, tablets, monitors, printers, scanners, phones, modems, routers, hard drives, keyboards, and mice fall under the RoHS Certificate.
Lighting Equipment: Lamps, fluorescent tubes, light fittings, chandeliers, projectors, and LED lighting products also need to meet the RoHS Certificate requirements.
Electrical and Electronic Accessories: Chargers, adapters, cables, batteries, accessories for electric game consoles, and speakers need to meet the RoHS Certificate requirements as well.

These product groups cover the core categories where conformity with the RoHS Certificate requirements is mandatory. Manufacturers, importers, and distributors keep these products RoHS-compliant and obtain the RoHS Certificate. The certificate evidences the substance levels in the products and demonstrates conformity with the law.

RoHS Certificate Requirements

To obtain the RoHS Certificate, generally the following requirements need to be met:

Conformity with Substance Limits: The core requirement for the RoHS Certificate is that the listed hazardous substances in the electrical and electronic products stay within the defined limits. The use of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and certain phthalates is restricted.
Product Testing: Products go through tests that evidence conformity with the substance limits. The tests are usually carried out by accredited laboratories and analyse the hazardous-substance content.
Content Declaration: Manufacturers and importers declare the hazardous-substance content in their products. This keeps the substance content traceable along the supply chain.
Document Preparation: The required documents for the RoHS Certificate are prepared and submitted. They include the records that evidence the manufacturer's or importer's conformity with the RoHS requirements.
Continuity: The RoHS Certificate shows that the products keep meeting the RoHS requirements over time. Manufacturers and importers check their products periodically and sustain the RoHS conformity.
Traceability: Manufacturers and importers maintain traceability for the products along the supply chain. This makes RoHS conformity and substance content trackable.

The RoHS Certificate requirements are set so that conformity with the substance limits is confirmed. By meeting these requirements, manufacturers and importers document the RoHS conformity of their products and obtain the RoHS Certificate.

How to Obtain the RoHS Certificate

The steps for obtaining the RoHS Certificate:

Assess Your Products: First, assess whether the products for which you want the RoHS Certificate conform with the substance limits. Review the materials and components in the products to identify the presence of restricted substances.
Product Testing: A testing process may be required to confirm that the products conform with the substance limits. Work with an accredited laboratory to test the products and analyse the substance content. The test results form the data that documents the RoHS conformity.
Content Declaration: Gather the content information on the restricted substances. You can request this information from your suppliers or material providers to maintain traceability along the supply chain.
Document Preparation: Prepare the required documents for the RoHS Certificate. They may include test reports that evidence the product's RoHS conformity, content declarations, and other documents related to the requirements.
Working with a Certification Body: You can work with a certification body for the RoHS Certificate. The body will assess your products, review the test results, and issue the document that confirms the RoHS conformity. Submit the required applications and pay the corresponding fees.
Continuing the Certificate: The RoHS Certificate shows that the products keep meeting the RoHS requirements. To make sure your products stay RoHS-compliant, check the products and the supply chain on a periodic basis.

The RoHS Certificate process means following the steps required to document conformity with the substance limits. Being RoHS-compliant shows that your products are environmentally responsible and delivers a competitive position in the market. Working with a certification body, you have specialist support guiding you through the process.

RoHS Certificate Cost

The cost of obtaining the RoHS Certificate varies with several factors. The price moves with your product characteristics, the certification body, the number of products, and other factors. The best path is to contact the certification body for the certification process and request a quote. You then get pricing specific to your case and more accurate information on cost.

Factors that drive the cost of obtaining the RoHS Certificate:

Number of Products: The number of products you want certified is usually a cost driver. To document RoHS conformity for several products, each product may require a separate testing and certification process.
Product Characteristics: Product complexity, size, and structural features also affect cost. More complex, larger products may require more time and resources for testing and assessment.
Test Laboratory and Certification Body: The cost policies and service charges of the testing laboratory and the certification body you work with vary. Each body sets its own pricing.
Product Tests: Products are tested to document RoHS conformity. You may need to have your products tested in an accredited laboratory. Testing complexity, the number of components in the product, and the test methods all drive cost.
Certification Process and Documents: Preparation of the required documents, the assessment process, and the certification operations also drive cost. Specialist personnel time and effort in these processes add to the cost.

A flat price for the RoHS Certificate is difficult to quote because each product and each case can differ.

RoHS Certificate Tests

Obtaining the RoHS Certificate requires defined tests on the products. The tests confirm conformity with the substance limits. The tests commonly used for the RoHS Certificate include:

XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) Test: XRF is an analytical method used to detect the concentration of restricted substances in products. The instrument emits X-rays and measures the fluorescent radiation returning from the materials. This determines whether substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium exceed the defined limits.
ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) Test: ICP-MS is used in particular to detect the concentration of metallic restricted substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. The sample is digested in acid and then analysed using inductively coupled plasma combined with mass spectrometry.
GC-MS (Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry) Test: GC-MS is an analytical method used to detect organic restricted substances. The sample is separated into its components by gas chromatography and then identified by mass spectrometry.
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) Test: FTIR is an analytical method used to detect organic compounds such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The method measures the infrared absorption of the sample and identifies its components.
Microscopic Examination: In some cases, microscopic examination is also required for the RoHS Certificate. This examines the product's components, coatings, or solder materials visually and identifies the potential presence of restricted substances.

These tests are the common analytical methods used to determine whether products conform with the substance limits. Manufacturers or importers seeking the RoHS Certificate can have their products tested in an accredited laboratory and confirm the substance content. The test results provide the data used to document RoHS conformity.

RoHS Certificate

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RoHS Certificate (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

What is the RoHS Certificate

RoHS Certificate Requirements

RoHS Certificate Cost