Policy Issue

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

Policy Isssue

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

Home Policy Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

Basic information

State of play

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive currently restricts the use of ten substances: lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). All products with an electrical and electronic component, unless specifically excluded, have to comply with these restrictions.

The public consultation on the RoHS review was open until 16 June 2022. The purpose was to collect information and views from stakeholders on how the RoHS Directive could be improved in order to maintain its relevance and increase its efficiency. The evaluation of the Directive flagged the following as potential areas for improvement:

The exemption process
The process of reviewing the list of restricted substances
The alignment of RoHS with other EU legislative frameworks (e.g. REACH, ESPR, etc.)

The revision of RoHS was scheduled for Q4 2022, but it was postponed. The RoHS revision is likely to be published after the completion of the REACH revision to ensure consistency and coherence between RoHS and REACH. This also means that RoHS will not be integrated into REACH.

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive

29 October 2025

Chemicals update: RoHS

The Commission adopted three delegated directives amending Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS) to renew and refine exemptions for lead in electrical and electronic equipment, the so-called “Pack 27”.

1 min read

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
Sustainable Products

15 January 2025

Delegated act RoHS exemptions published

The EU Commission published a draft delegated act on exemption for lead as an alloying element in steel, aluminium and copper; lead in high melting temperature solders; and lead in glass or ceramic components. The adoption date is expected Q1 2025....

1 min read

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
Sustainable Products

19 December 2024

TBBP-A and MCCPs not added to restricted substances

The initiative to add tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBP-A) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) to the list of restricted substances of RoHS has been abandoned.

1 min read

Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive
Sustainable Products

16 February 2022

Call for evidence on RoHS review open till 14 March

The European Commission has opened the call for evidence on the review of the RoHS Directive, which limits the use of certain harmful substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Feedback can be submitted until 14 March 2022....

1 min read

Publications

Legislation

This section presents EU legislation restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), aiming to protect human health and the environment and ensure the safe recovery and disposal of waste EEE. It includes the legal text of the RoHS Directive, studies, reports, FAQs, and more. The database contains the most recent publications but also allows you to go back in time.The documents reflect the EU’s approach to minimising harmful substances in electronics while facilitating their free circulation within the internal market. The framework defines clear requirements for manufacturers, importers and distributors, including restrictions on certain substances, detailed exemptions, and obligations for technical documentation, market surveillance and traceability. Emphasis is placed on protecting end-users and workers, reducing hazardous waste, and ensuring harmonised implementation across Member States.

All documents in this section are freely accessible for all members of the Eurovent network that are logged in to the Extranet. If you are not logged in, log in or register for the Eurovent Extranet to download the documents.