1. What is RoHS?
RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) refers to regulations on the usage of harmful substances included in electric and electronics products.
On October 10, 2002, the European Parliament and European Council announced RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment: Directive 2002/95/EC) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive: Directive 2002/96/EC) and prohibited the use of bromine-line flame retardants (PBB: Polybrominated phenyls, PBDE: Polybrominated diphenyl ethers), hexavalent chrome (Cr6+), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) from July 1, 2006.
2. Objective of RoHS
The objective of RoHS is to eliminate the differences between the laws of the member countries regarding the limitations on the use of harmful substances used in electric and electronic devices and to contribute to the cutback measure (eco-friendly withdrawal) by the Ministry of Environment through WEEE and the protection of health of humanity.
3. RoHS Category
Cd: Cadmium
1. Objectives of use: For plastic and rubber stabilizer, protection of metal surface, and improvement of corrosion resistance upon polish plating
2. Fields of use: Nickel-cadmium battery, plastic, ceramic, dye for glass, PT C stabilizer, coating agent for ferrous and nonferrous metals, and special alloys
3. Harmfulness to human body: Stomach cramps, kidney damage, high blood pressure, reduced blood-iron levels, damage to central nervous system or brain, and metastasis of 5-10% in blood level
EU Directive 91/338/EEC legally prohibits the customs of products of over 100ppm into the European region. The test methods include EN 1122, USEPA 3050B, and ASTM D 3335.
Pb: Lead
1. Objectives of use: For outstanding soldering, easy high-precision machined castings in high-density, low-melting point, and low-intensity, and improvement of corrosion resistance of projectiles
2. Fields of use: Component joining solder, cable insulation, tubes, injected products, ceramics, metal types, bearings, and alloys
3. Harmfulness to human body: Damage to central nervous system, weakened joints, high blood pressure, brain damage, infertility, miscarriage, and reduced number of sperm due to tissue damage
The lead content is regulated up to 300ppm by the California Proposal 65 of the United States. The test methods include ISO 6101-2, USEPA 3050B, USEPA 3052, and ASTM D 4004.
Cr 6+: This is mostly used for chromium plating, leather processing, paints, pigments, and dyestuff. The test methods include ISO 3613, DIN 53314, and EPA 3060A/7196A.
Hg: Mercury
1. Objectives for use: For outstanding lamination and electric efficiency and for medical disinfection and sterilization
2. Fields of use: Mercury cells, lamps, wiring and switches, amalgams for dental use, preservatives, polymer catalysts, paint, and ink
3. Harmfulness to human body: Nausea, skin rashes, eye spasms, damage to kidneys or brain, visual impairment, eyesight loss, and memory failure
EU Directive 89/677/EEC and 91/157/EEC strictly prohibit the use of mercuric compound. The test method includes USEPA 3052.
PBB/PBDE:
1. Objectives for use: Improvement of durability for preventing fire and deterioration of plastic
2. Fields of use: Housing coating of machinery and electronic products, flame retardants for paint, various resin, polymers, and other additives
3. Harmfulness to human body: Skin disorder, hair loss, weight loss, damage to central nervous system, kidney damage, thyroid damage, and immune system damage
4. Representative test method:
Measured with GC/MS by extracting ultrasonic and soxhlet.
Our company is the only domestic company that can conduct experiments on substances controlled by the reference standards of global companies in the world, such as asbestos, polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN), chlorinated paraffin (CP), perchlordecone (mirex), and tetrabromobisphenol-A-bis (TBBP-A-bis).
Cr 6+: Hexavalent Chrome
1. Objectives for use: For the improvement of corrosion resistance and heat resistance and for painting materials and pigments for heaters using electric resistance
2. Fields of use: Battery, stainless welding, alloys casting, nonferrous alloys, plating, printer toner paint and pigments, rubber, and cement
3. Harmfulness to human body: Runny nose, sneezing, nosebleed, boils, spasms, asthma, lung cancer, damage to kidneys or liver, and sudden death
Use is strictly limited to on or under 2ppm. The test methods include ISO 3613, DIN 53314, and EPA 3060A/7196A.
Hexavalent chromium was previously used for chrome plating, leather tanning, paint, and dyestuff. The test methods include ISO 3613, DIN 53314, and EPA 3060A/7196A.
5. RoHS Application Scope
(1). Large home electric appliances (refrigerators, washers, microwaves, air conditioners, etc...)
(2). Small home electric appliances (vacuum cleaners, irons, hair dryers, toasters, watches, etc...)
(3). IT and communications devices (PC, printers, copiers, telephones, etc...)
(4). General consumer devices (example: radio, TV, audio amps, instruments, etc...)
(5). Lighting devices (example: fluorescent lights, low pressure natrium lamps; excluding low-energy light bulbs and general light bulbs)
(6). Electric and electronic tools (example: electric drills, shelves, work tools, abrasive machines, etc...)
(7). Toys and leisure devices (example: video game sets, slot machines, etc...)
(8). Medical devices (example: dialysis devices, radiotherapy devices, electrocardiogram measuring devices, respirators, etc…; excluding infection and transplantation)
(9). Inspection and control devices (example: fire detectors, automatic thermostat, etc...)
(10). Vending machines
> Customer Support > FAQ
