RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
Definition
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a European Union directive that restricts the use of specific hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment. The restricted substances include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and certain brominated flame retardants, among others added in later revisions.
Why it matters
RoHS is a market-access requirement. Products sold into the EU and many other regions that follow similar rules must contain only RoHS-compliant components, so RoHS status becomes a sourcing criterion alongside price and availability. For active parts, compliance is well documented. For older or secondary-market inventory, buyers should verify compliance status and marking, since older stock may predate the current restrictions.
RoHS is usually managed alongside REACH, the broader EU chemical regulation. Together they define much of the environmental-compliance picture for electronic sourcing.
Related terms
- REACH: the broader EU chemical regulation often tracked with RoHS.
- Authorized (Franchised) Distributor: the channel with the clearest compliance documentation.
- Counterfeit Electronic Component: a risk that can also carry false compliance marking.
3E Technology helps you find suppliers and reach them directly to confirm compliance details like RoHS status. See the component sourcing guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does RoHS mean?+
RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. It is a European Union directive that limits the use of specific hazardous materials, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and certain flame retardants, in electrical and electronic equipment sold in the EU. Compliant parts are often marked RoHS.
Why does RoHS matter when sourcing components?+
If your product ships into markets that require RoHS, every component has to meet the restrictions, so you need to confirm a part's RoHS status when sourcing. This is easy for in-production parts but can require documentation checks for older or secondary-market inventory, where compliance status and marking should be verified.
Related Resources
REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals)
REACH is the EU regulation governing chemical substances in products, including electronics. Here's how it relates to RoHS and to component sourcing.
Counterfeit Electronic Component
A counterfeit electronic component is a part misrepresented as to its origin or authenticity. Here's how counterfeits enter the supply chain and how to avoid them.
Authorized (Franchised) Distributor
An authorized distributor sells components under a direct agreement with the manufacturer. Here's what that means for traceability and counterfeit risk.
Component Sourcing: A Practical Guide for Buyers
How component sourcing works: the four supplier channels, a step-by-step sourcing workflow, how to vet suppliers, and where to find sources others miss.
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