We sell a range of RoHS labels here at Label Source. But what does it actually mean to be 'RoHS compliant'? Allow us to answer your questions...
What does 'RoHS' stand for?
Restriction of Hazardous Substances, which is itself shorthand for the directive's full title: Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
What is the RoHS directive?
A legal act of the European Union (EU) that first came into force in 2003. When it took effect, the RoHS directive placed severe restrictions on the use of six potentially hazardous materials in consumer electronics and electrical equipment.
What materials are prohibited by RoHS?
The following materials are prohibited (with some expections):
This means that, in most cases, goods containing any of the above substances cannot be sold to the general public.
How do I comply with the RoHS directive?
In a nutshell: you must not manufacture, import, or sell any products that contravene RoHS regulations. If any of your products contain lead, mercury, or any of the other substances listed above, you may well be in breach of the RoHS, which means that you could be vulnerable from a legal standpoint. Ignorance is not a valid defence; you must be able to prove that you have taken all reasonable measures to comply with the RoHS directive.
How can Label Source help with this?
As mentioned above, we sell a huge range of RoHS labels for manufacturers and retailers to use with their products. Some of the labels indicate that the labelled product is, for example, lead-free (and hence compliant); others are designed to indicate the presence of restricted materials for environmental and safety purposes. We also offer WEEE labels and China RoHS labels, both of which are closely related to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive and may indicate compliance by association.
Click here to browse our full range of RoHS/WEEE labels.
