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RoHS TESTING IN THE USA
Although RoHS is an EU Directive, manufacturers of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) outside Europe must also abide by this legislation if the equipment they produce is ultimately imported into an EU member state for use in Europe.
Be prepared for the EU RoHS directive or for RoHS in other regions with the acceptance around the world.
SGS USTC is able to offer you via its worldwide experts testing and certification around the world to fulfill the needed requirements in the single countries.
SGS USTC as part of the global SGS network is able to offer you the following services:
- The EU RoHS Directive (Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment) restricts the use of certain hazardous substances. The directive is valid for electrical and electronic equipment operating with max. 1000 V AC or max. 1500 V DC
- Outside of Europe there are requirements regarding restrictions of hazardous substances. Other countries can have additional requirements or differences in approved proportion of hazardous substances. SGS international network helps you to clarify the requirements, e.g. for China, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Turkey etc
- USA: California has passed the Electronic Waste Recycling Act (EWRA). This law prohibits the sale of electronic devices after 1 January 2007, that are prohibited from being sold under the EU RoHS directive, but across a much narrower scope that includes LCDs, CRTs, and other similar Products and only covers the four heavy metals restricted by RoHS. EWRA also has a restricted material disclosure requirement. Other US states are debating whether to adopt similar laws
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SGS has one accredited RoHS laboratory in the United States, providing RoHS services to ensure that the E&E industry has the requisite independent data for a RoHS compliance declaration to be granted. An integrated reliable evaluation of RoHS conformity within the framework of product testing and certification provides legal security and improves your market presence and recognition. |
SGS USTC is also able to help you with general product requirements for placing your electronic product on the market.
- Safety
- EMC
- Energy efficiency
- Recyclables
- Free from hazardous substances
- Environmental conditions
EU RoHS Directive
The RoHS (Restriction of use of Hazardous Substances) legislation covers the restriction of lead and other potentially hazardous substances used in electrical and electronic equipment.
Known as Directive 2002/95/EC, it is enforced throughout the EU since 1st July 2006. Its purpose is very clear – to restrict the use of six substances within EEE, thereby contributing to the protection of human health and the environment.
For many this is a considerable environmental challenge. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods.
The Six Restricted Substances
RoHS is often referred to as the lead-free directive, but it restricts the use of these six substances:
- Cadmium
- Mercury
- Lead
- Hexavalent chromium
- Brominates flame retardants
- PBB and PBDE
The maximum permitted concentrations are 0.1% or 1,000 ppm (except for cadmium, which is limited to 0.01% or 100 ppm) by weight of homogeneous material. The limits do not apply to the weight of the finished product, or even to a component, but to any single – for example, the sheath on a cable or the tinning on a component lead.
EU RoHS is very explicit about which substances should be restricted and the precise levels that may be tolerated.
The RoHS Directive is Valid for the Following Products
- Household appliances
- Information technology and telecommunication equipment
- Consumer equipment
- Lighting fittings
- Electrical and Electronic tools
- Toys
- Sports and leisure equipment
- Vending machines
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