The RoHS Directive (Directive 2011/65/EU) contains a number of substance bans for electrical and electronic equipment. In addition to the bans on heavy metals and brominated flame retardants already in place since 2005, there are now also bans on the plasticizers DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP. These phthalates are already subject to a number of specific bans, such as restrictions under REACH Annex XVII for toys and childcare articles.
Electrical and electronic equipment that exceeds the limits of 0.1 percent (by weight) per homogeneous material will no longer be marketable from 22 July 2019. Only for medical devices and monitoring and control instruments is there an extended transitional period until 2021.
Manufacturers and importers should therefore ensure that their products no longer contain these substances. Otherwise, cost-intensive consequences such as product recalls can occur. German certification and inspection services provider DEKRA recommends effectively combining measures such as supplier management and the analysis of random samples in the laboratory. The EN 50581 standard contains a number of requirements on how this can be done.
More information: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/rohs_eee/index_en.htm
