RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is an international regulation governing the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). First introduced in the European Union with Directive 2002/95/EC, RoHS aims to reduce risks to human health and the environment by promoting sustainable production and the recycling of electronic waste.
Since 2006, the EU has restricted six key substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr⁶⁺, PBB, PBDE), later expanded by Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS II) and Directive (EU) 2015/863 (RoHS III), which included four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP). This approach has made RoHS a global regulatory model, adopted or adapted by numerous non-EU countries (China, South Korea, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, etc.), with local variations but a common goal: reducing hazardous substances in EEE.
China – Standard GB 26572-2025 (mandatory as of August 1, 2027)
China issued GB 26572-2025, the first mandatory national RoHS standard, on August 1, 2025, with entry into force on August 1, 2027.
Key features:
Replaces standards GB/T 26572-2011 (concentration limits) and SJ/T 11364-2014 (labelling).
Expands the restricted substances from 6 to 10, adding the four phthalates in line with EU RoHS.
Introduces new labelling methods, including digital solutions (QR codes).
The integration of labelling rules into the main standard simplifies the regulatory framework, enhancing transparency and traceability for electronic products placed on the Chinese market.
Saudi Arabia – Draft revision of SASO RoHS regulation
The Saudi RoHS regulation, in force since 2021, currently restricts 6 substances following the EU model.
On July 23, 2025, a draft recast was published introducing significant changes:
Alignment of the scope with Annex I of EU RoHS, excluding medical devices.
Inclusion of the 4 phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).
Clear definition of responsibilities for all economic operators (manufacturers, importers, distributors).
Additional requirements: documentation in Arabic, risk assessment, and stricter conformity checks.
This evolution highlights a growing trend toward international harmonization, while retaining local specificities tied to language and customs procedures.
Brazil – Draft RoHS regulation
After years of discussion, Brazil has resumed the process of developing a national RoHS regulation. The new draft is strongly inspired by the EU model:
Restriction of the same 10 substances already banned in Europe.
Application with staggered deadlines depending on product categories.
Mandatory labelling in Portuguese and inclusion in a national registry.
System based on supplier self-declarations of conformity, supported by technical documentation (BoM, test reports, DoC) to be retained for at least 5 years.
Brazilian authorities will be granted strict enforcement powers, including fines, sales bans, and mandatory recalls.
Towards a global RoHS paradigm
The review of recent regulatory developments in China, Saudi Arabia, and Brazil shows how RoHS has become a global regulatory paradigm for managing hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Despite differing procedural approaches, all countries converge on two main axes: alignment with the EU’s list of ten restricted substances and the strengthening of conformity control mechanisms.
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