EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU - homogeneous-material heavy-metal limits

Scope

Directive 2011/65/EU restricts specified hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The heavy-metal rows in Annex II apply as maximum concentration values tolerated by weight in homogeneous materials.

Exact limit and units

How tested

The consolidated directive states the limits as maximum concentration values by weight in homogeneous materials. The PDF does not reproduce a single analytical-method table in Annex II; conformity assessment and technical documentation obligations sit elsewhere in the RoHS framework.

Enforcement posture

RoHS restrictions are statutory EU product-compliance limits. Covered electrical and electronic equipment may be placed on the market only when it satisfies the substance restrictions and related conformity requirements.

History of changes

Directive 2011/65/EU was adopted on 8 June 2011. The local PDF is a EUR-Lex consolidated version current to 1 March 2023 and includes the Annex II substance list as amended.

How it compares

These limits are material-composition limits for homogeneous materials, not limits for food, cosmetics, packaging migration, or whole finished products. The cadmium ceiling is ten times lower than the lead, mercury, and hexavalent chromium ceilings in the Annex II table.

Sources

• Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment - consolidated version of 1 March 2023

Update history

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