ROHS and Weee Compliance

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Update time : 2026-05-12

What are RoHS and WEEE?

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) are two core environmental regulations in the European Union. RoHS controls the use of hazardous substances during the product manufacturing phase, while WEEE manages the recycling and disposal of products at their end-of-life stage. The two directives are implemented complementarily to jointly protect the environment and human health.

Core Differences Between RoHS and WEEE

Comparison Item	RoHS Directive	WEEE Directive
Control Phase	Production and placing on the market	End-of-life disposal and recycling
Core Objective	Restrict hazardous substances	Promote e-waste recycling
Scope of Application	Manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment	Producers/Importers of electrical and electronic equipment
Mark Requirements	CE Mark	Crossed-out wheeled bin symbol
Core Obligations	Ensure products do not contain restricted substances	Establish a recycling system and bear the costs
RoHS makes products more environmentally friendly, and WEEE makes recycling more efficient. Both are indispensable.

10 Restricted Substances under RoHS and Their Limits

RoHS 3 (2015/863/EU) expanded the restricted substances from 6 to 10:

Substance	Limit	Common Applications
Lead (Pb)	0.1%	Solders, glass, batteries
Mercury (Hg)	0.1%	Switches, fluorescent lamps
Cadmium (Cd)	0.01%	Batteries, pigments, electrical contacts
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI)	0.1%	Metal plating, anti-rust treatments
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)	0.1%	Flame retardants
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)	0.1%	Flame retardants
BIS(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)	0.1%	Plasticizers, insulation materials
Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)	0.1%	Plasticizers
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)	0.1%	Plasticizers
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)	0.1%	Plasticizers
The limit for cadmium is the strictest at only 0.01%. Enterprises need to focus on controlling cadmium-containing materials.

RoHS and weee compliance Step Checklist

RoHS Compliance Steps

Material Assessment: Disassemble the product BOM (Bill of Materials) and identify all material components.
Supplier Declarations: Collect RoHS Declarations of Conformity (DoC) from suppliers.
Testing and Verification: Commission a third-party laboratory for XRF screening and chemical analysis.
Exemption Assessment: Confirm whether exemption clauses apply and track the expiration dates of exemptions.
Technical Documentation: Compile technical documentation and retain it for 10 years.
CE Mark: Affix the CE mark after completing the conformity assessment.

WEEE Compliance Steps

Register as a Producer: Complete weee registration in the target sales countries.
Join a Compliance Scheme: Join a Producer Compliance Scheme (PCS).
Product Labeling: Affix the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol on the products.
Establish a Recycling System: Build independent recycling channels or participate in a collective recycling scheme.
Annual Reporting: Submit WEEE recycling and market placement reports on time.
Fee Payment: Pay recycling and disposal fees based on product weight.

Global RoHS Compliance Overview

Region	Regulation Name	Main Differences from EU RoHS
European Union	RoHS 2/3	Standard benchmark
China	China RoHS (SJ/T 11364)	Mandatory labeling of hazardous substance content, adopts catalog management
South Korea	K-RoHS	Controlled substances are consistent with the EU, but implementation mechanisms differ
California, USA	RoHS-like regulations	Only controls certain product categories
Japan	J-MOSS	Voluntary labeling system
Enterprises exporting to multiple countries must respectively meet the compliance requirements of each region.

ROHS Testing: JJR Laboratory Recommended

The core aspect of RoHS compliance is hazardous substance testing. Enterprises need to choose a qualified third-party laboratory for verification. JJR Laboratory possesses CNAS and CMA qualifications, and its test reports are globally recognized. If you need rohs testing services, you can directly contact JJR Laboratory to obtain a quote and solution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are RoHS and WEEE the same regulation?

No. RoHS restricts hazardous substances, while WEEE manages e-waste recycling. The two are complementary but implemented independently.

How to determine if a product requires RoHS compliance?

If the product is classified as Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) and is placed on the EU market, it must meet RoHS requirements.

Does WEEE compliance require a CE mark?

No. WEEE only requires the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol to be affixed to the product.

How much does rohs testing cost?

The cost depends on the product's complexity and the testing items. JJR Laboratory provides transparent quotes; it is recommended to consult them directly to get a solution.