A Brief History of RoHS
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive continues to shape global electronics manufacturing and environmental policy. Originating in the European Union (EU), RoHS was conceived to address environmental and health concerns related to hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment—the directive aimed to reduce toxic e-waste and its impact on human health and the environment.
The first edition was officially Directive 2002/95/EC, RoHS 1, and took effect on July 1, 2006. The directive restricted six hazardous substances: lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr-VI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU) became mandatory on January 2, 2013, and included several key updates.
The second edition of RoHS expanded the scope to cover a broader range of products, including cables and spare parts, and introduced the CE mark to indicate compliance. The CE stands for Conformité Européenne, which translates to “European Conformity” in English. The updated directive also required stricter enforcement and traceability (making non-compliance a criminal offense in some jurisdictions) and introduced an automatic compliance expiration unless renewed.
More recent updates to RoHS have added four new substances to the restricted list (the phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP) and adopted further amendments and exemptions, such as those relating to mercury in lamps.
RoHS has transformed electronics manufacturing in numerous ways. Supply chain transparency and material traceability have been revolutionized due to the directive requirements. The impact has also fostered innovation, which has resulted in safer material alternatives.
The Global Influence of RoHS
The vision and execution of RoHS began as a targeted effort to reduce hazardous substances in electronics but has grown into a dynamic, foundational regulation for environmental compliance, influencing global standards and industry practices.
While RoHS is an EU directive, it has exerted a global influence. Many countries outside the EU have adopted similar regulations, making RoHS compliance a de facto requirement for global electronics markets. Many manufacturers have used the guidance to be responsible and sustainable corporate citizens in countries where the RoHS directive is not enforced. RoHS compliance is not federally required in the USA or Canada, but the situation differs in each country and, in the US, even by state.
There is no nationwide RoHS regulation in the United States, but state-level requirements have been adopted. Several states—including California, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, and Wisconsin—have enacted their own RoHS-like laws, often modeled after the EU RoHS Directive. Some of these state-specific requirements apply to only selected electronic product lines.
The restricted substances and thresholds typically mirror the EU RoHS (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBBs, PBDEs), but the scope and enforcement can vary by state. Some states require manufacturers to declare compliance or file annual reports about restricted substances in covered products. Even if not legally required, US manufacturers may comply with RoHS to access global markets, serve customers who demand RoHS-compliant products, or act as responsible corporate citizens.
Impact of RoHS on the Lighting Industry
RoHS restricts hazardous materials such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and certain flame retardants in lighting products, significantly lowering the risk of environmental contamination and health hazards during manufacturing, use, and disposal.
The directive has been especially impactful in phasing out mercury-containing lighting, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and certain fluorescent tubes, which are now banned in the EU as of February 2024. Most states have varying levels of CFL bans or restrictions in the USA.
RoHS compliance accelerated the lighting industry’s transition from traditional lighting (incandescent, halogen, fluorescent) to LED technology. LEDs are inherently more energy-efficient, longer-lasting, and free from restricted substances like mercury and lead.
The RoHS standard has contributed to greater transparency and responsibility throughout the supply chain, from raw materials to finished products, ensuring all components meet strict limits on hazardous substances.
In summary, RoHS has pushed the lighting industry toward safer, more sustainable products by banning hazardous substances, phasing out toxic lighting types, and promoting LED technology adoption. This advancement has resulted in environmental protection, improved public health, technological innovation, and a more globally harmonized lighting market.
