Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), an EU directive that is part of a global push toward more environmentally sound manufacturing practices and policies, restricts the use of six substances in new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market after July 1, 2006. By making it illegal for companies to manufacture products with more than 0.1 percent of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), RoHS aims to reduce pollution and prevent human health problems. China, Japan, and all EU countries are bound by RoHS.
Evidence of compliance with RoHS needs to be provided only if an enforcement authority asks for it. Failure of an organization to comply with RoHS can result in serious penalties (including heavy fines and jail time), not to mention a black eye for your reputation. When requested, you must provide documentation of compliance to the governing bodies through materials declarations or analysis. Some medical devices and military equipment that contain lead are exempt from RoHS regulation.
EU manufacturers must obtain a declaration of RoHS compliance for every part, component, and material they use. To prevent undue complications, however, they may obtain just one certificate of declaration for parts that belong to the same class or type with the same RoHS-compliant composition. Importers, however, must request equipment suppliers to declare compliance for their equipment.
In China and Japan, electronic information products (EIPs) must be labeled as 100 percent compliant or partially compliant (having one or more substances) with the Environmental Protection Use Period (EPUP), which states the number of years that the consumer will be safe from product leakage. Mandatory product testing is being considered in both countries.
The products affected by RoHS include
- Household appliances
- IT and telecommunications equipment
- Consumer equipment
- Lighting products/systems
- Electrical and electronic tools
- Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Automatic dispensers
Business affected by RoHS include
- Manufacturers and sellers of electrical and electronic equipment
- Resellers of electrical and electronic equipment
- Companies that import or export electrical and electronic equipment from and to countries in the EU
The following list includes some steps suggested to help ensure that your products comply with RoHS:
- Test your materials
- Monitor your supply chain partners for compliance
- Searching for and switching to RoHS-compliant suppliers
- Produce, organize, and maintain proper documentation of compliance
source: SAP GRC for dummies
