EU to add two new substances to RoHS list

History of RoHS directive

European union realizes the need of Restriction of Hazardous Substances(RoHS) directive for electronics industry and many electrical products. Initially RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC was originated in 2002 and restricted 6 hazardous substances in the list for all electrical and electronic products in the EU market from 1st of July 2006 must pass RoHS compliance.

• Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm
• Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm
• Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm
• Hexavalent Chromium: (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm
• Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm

In 2011, Directive 2011/65/EU was published and called RoHS 2 with addition of Categories 8 and 9 and CE marking requirements on all the applicable products. In 2019, Directive 2015/863 published RoHS 3 restricted 4 more Phthalates totaling the substances to 10.

• Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm
• Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm

New proposed update to RoHS list

In Q2 2022, a public consultation was raised to restrict two more substances as per report by the Oeko-Institut which has been appointed by the European Commission. The recommended substances for addition are:

• Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A): Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) with CAS number 79-94-7 is a brominated flame retardant. The hazardous impacts to human body includes endocrine disrupter and immunotoxicant. The commercial use of TBBP-A as in manufacturing of of brominated epoxy resins, additive for flame retardant in thermoplastics.
• Medium Chain Chlorinated Paraffins (MCCPs): Medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) with CAS number 85535-85-9 is also an flame-retardant has similar applications of TBBP-A also used as insulations, flexible property applications like cables and wire insulations.

If the proposal is accepted after public consultation by EU commission the existing list will scale from 10 to 12 substances. This implementation will impact in larger way to most of the existing electronic and electric industries as flame retardant cable/wire/plasticizers are the basic building blocks for safety issue.

To know more, please talk to one of our RoHS specialists today!