How do the EU & China RoHS
Directives Compare?
EU RoHS and the China RoHS legislation have a number of similarities and differences. These are summarized in the following table:
| Characteristic | EU RoHS | China RoHS |
| Legislation adopted | 13th February 2003 | 26th February 2006 |
| Entry into force | 1st July 2006 | 1st March 2007 |
| Main requirements | Six RoHS substances must not be present in homogeneous materials, at above the maximum concentration values, unless covered by an exemption. | Two levels of requirements: All EIPs must be marked to indicate whether any of the six substances are present. Products that will be specified in a catalog - substance restrictions will be specified and these may be some or all of the six EU-RoHS substances and possibly others. |
| Restricted substances | Lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB* and PBDE** | As for EU RoHS, with the possibility of others being added. |
| Marking requirements |
None.
|
Pollution control mark (also indicates recyclability). If no RoHS substances present (same six as EU RoHS exceptDeca-BDE), use:
If a RoHS substance present in at least one material, use:
The number within the mark is Environment Friendly Use Period (in years) Table is also required if a RoHS substance is present; this constituent lists "parts" and which RoHS substances each contains. |
|
Sources of details of legislation |
Published EC and member state guidance and some Commission Decisions. |
Chinese Standards to be published by Chinese Government and some Q & A from MII (Ministry of Information Industry). |
|
Maximum concentration of values |
In-scope products must contain less than: 0.1% for all except Cd which is 0.01%. All are by weight in homogeneous materials (unless covered by exemptions). | Marking with a table and the orange logo if concentrations of Pb, Hg, Cr(6), PBB* or PBDE** are >0.1 % or >0.01 % of Cd by weight in homogeneous materials, except for metal coatings where RoHS substances must not be intentionally added and parts of 4 mm3 or less regarded as single homogeneous materials. |
| Exemptions | 29 so far and will continue to grow. | All EIPs - none Will be specified in catalogue for listed products. |
| Approach to compliance | Self declaration, third party testing not required. | Self declaration for marking of all EIPs Testing by authorized laboratories in China of catalogue listed products. |
| Packaging | Not included as covered by thePackaging Directive. | Must be marked to show materials content, not contain toxic substances and be recyclable. |
| Batteries | Not included as covered by Batteries and Accumulators Directive. | Included as these are EIPs. |
| Non-electrical products | Excluded if the finished product sold to user does not depend on electricity for its main function. | Included if listed as EIPs. Includes CDs and DVDs. |
|
Military and national security use only |
Excluded from scope. | Excluded from scope. |
| "Put onto the market" | When individual item is available for sale within EU and transferred to distribution. | Applies to production on or after 1 March 2007. It must be marked thereafter. |
* PBB = polybrominated biphenyl
** PBDE = polybrominated diphenyl ether
© 2005 Premier Farnell plc
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