An Overview of RoHS Certification Services
RoHS certification ensures that electrical and electronic requirements are free from or within the permissible limits of certain hazardous substances. Originally introduced by the European Union under the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC, later updated as RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU) and RoHS 3 (Directive 2015/863/EU, it restricts the use of specific hazardous materials.
In India, RoHS certification services are mandated under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). These rules align closely with global standards, enabling manufacturers, producers, and importers of electrical and electronic equipment to ensure their products meet the RoHS limit before being placed on the market.
To get expert led RoHS certification services, talk to our green consultants at Enterclimate.
What is RoHS?
RoHS, which stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, is a European Union policy specifically designed to ensure the handling and disposal of hazardous substances.
Similar to other countries, every Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) business owner in India adopted the same mandate due to the consistent rise in the use of toxic and hazardous substances during the production process. Not only this, some internationally operating businesses such as Apple, Samsung, Dell, HP, and Siemens also abide by the RoHS regulations.
Benefits of RoHS Certification Services in India
Securing RoHS certification services in India provides access to the following benefits, as discussed below:
- Environmental Protection RoHS certification services, which enable restricting the usage of dangerous materials, help reduce the harmful impact of electronic waste on the environment.
- Health and Safety RoHS compliance certification helps reduce risks for workers involved in the manufacturing units and protects consumers from exposure to toxic substances in EEE.
- Access to Global Marketplace Meeting RoHS standards often helps trade of non-harmful electronic and electrical equipment into the global marketplace.
- Enhanced Brand Reputation The companies complying with RoHS standards demonstrate responsibility towards safety and sustainability, gaining greater trust and credibility among consumers, investors, and regulators.
- Improved Product Design and Quality RoHS certification services in India help manufacturers to adopt safer materials and cleaner technologies, resulting in better product durability and performance.
- Promotes Sustainable Practices RoHS certification services in India ensure aligning business with global sustainability goals, contributing to greener manufacturing and long-term corporate responsibility.
Types of RoHS Directives
The different types of RoHS directives, updating the list of restricted hazardous substances, and the scope of products covered, are discussed below:
- RoHS 1 (Original Directive) A law known as RoHS 1 is a directive released in 2002 to limit the use of 6 hazardous materials in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The restricted materials include lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
- RoHS 2 (Revised Directive 2011) RoHS 2, which replaced RoHS 1 in July 2011, expanded the scope to include additional categories of products, such as medical devices, monitoring, and control equipment.
- RoHS 3 [Directive (EU) 2019/178] In 2015, RoHS 2 was updated to add four additional substances for restriction, including:
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) < 0.1%
- Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) < 0.1%
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) < 0.1%
- Dibutyl phthalate (DPB) < 0.1%
- E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2013 India first enforced RoHS under its E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2013, to curb environmental harm caused by hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It also promoted recycling and sustainable disposal of electronic waste, making electronics more eco-friendly throughout their lifecycle.
Documents Required for Online RoHS Certification in India
The list of documents required for securing an online RoHS certification in India is as follows:
- Bills and Material (BOM) Declarations
- Supplier Material Declarations (MDs)
- Copy of Assembly Drawings
- Copy of Conformity Assessment Certificates
- Test Results from Accredited Chemical Labs
- Details of Technical Construction File (TCF)
- Compliance Declaration or Certificate of Conformity
- Factory Audit Reports (if applicable)
- Generic Product Description and Information related to Design Structure
- Record of Systematized Standards, Specifications & Compliance Procedures
Who Needs to Apply for Online RoHS Certification in India?
The following are the eligible businesses mandatorily required to apply for the online RoHS certification in India:
- Manufacturers of electrical and electronic products
- Importers bringing such products into India
- Brand owners or sellers under their own label
- Producers listed under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016
- Retailers and traders dealing with EEE in the domestic market
- Distributors engaged in the supply chain of electronic products
How to get RoHS Certification Services in India?
The process to get RoHS certification services in India involves compliance with the following steps, as discussed below:
- Step 1: Understand RoHS Requirements The first step begins with understanding the RoHS directives and identifying which product categories and restricted substances apply to your business.
- Step 2: Document Preparation & Review The next step requires the preparation of all necessary technical documents and the review of results from the product testing.
- Step 3: Product Testing & Analysis The next step requires you to send your end products for laboratory testing and on-site analysis of the manufacturing site where the products are made.
- Step 4: Apply to Certification Body Once the product passes, the next step requires the submission of the application along with technical files and testing reports to an accredited certification body.
- Step 5: Undergo Audit & Verification In the next step, the certification body verifies your manufacturing processes and conducts an audit of quality control for RoHS compliance certification.
- Step 6: Issuance of RoHS Compliance Certification Upon successful completion of the audit and verification, the accredited certification body issues a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) or Declaration of Conformity (DoC), confirming the issuance of the RoHS compliance certificate.
Substances Banned under the RoHS Mandate
The list of 10 banned substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment under the RoHS mandate is as follows:
- Lead (Pb): A heavy metal used in various electronic components.
- Cadmium (Cd): A heavy metal often used in batteries and plastics.
- Mercury (Hg): Another heavy metal used in lighting and some electronics.
- Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI): Used as a corrosion inhibitor.
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): Used as flame retardants in plastics and electronics.
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): A class of flame retardants found in electronics.
- Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): A type of plasticizer.
- Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP): Another type of plasticizer.
- Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): A commonly used plasticizer.
- Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): The fourth restricted phthalate plasticizer.
The different types of electrical and electronic equipment covered and restricted from obtaining a RoHS compliance certificate in India are as follows:
| Category of Products | Examples | RoHS Certification Status |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer electronics | Smartphones, tablets, TVs, and gaming consoles | Covered |
| Large household appliances | Refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners | Covered |
| Small household appliances | Vacuum cleaners, irons, and toasters | Covered |
| IT and telecommunication equipment | Computers, laptops, printers, and routers | Covered |
| Electrical tools | Power tools with electrical parts, gardening tools, etc. | Covered |
| Lighting equipment | Bulbs, LED lights, and other lighting systems | Covered |
| Medical devices | Diagnostic tools, monitors, and imaging devices | Covered |
| Automotive components | Engine control units and infotainment systems | Covered |
| Industrial equipment | Machinery used in manufacturing and monitoring systems | Covered |
| Toys, leisure, and sports equipment | Electronic toys, hobby gadgets, and sports machines | Covered |
| Smart home devices | Smart thermostats, smart locks, and home automation tools | Covered |
| Automatic dispensers | ATMs and vending machines | Covered |
| Military equipment | Weapons, ammunition, and defence electronics | Exempted |
| Large-scale fixed instalments | Power stations, oil refineries, and major manufacturing lines | Exempted |
| Transport vehicles and equipment | Airplanes, ships, trains, ship control systems, and train equipment | Exempted |
| Implantable medical devices | Pacemakers and implantable defibrillators | Exempted |
| Monitoring and control instruments | Certain laboratory equipment and large-scale industrial monitoring systems | Exempted |
| Spare parts of electrical equipment | Replacement parts of old computers, TVs, or appliances | Exempted |
| Spare parts of particular types | Medical devices, monitoring instruments, and their substitutes that are not yet technically feasible | Exempted |
| Cables and wires | High-voltage industrial cables, aerospace/defence wiring systems | Exempted |
Relationship Between RoHS and WEEE
The RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) and the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) are closely related, as both apply to the same category of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
However, the objectives of these two directives are different; they work hand-in-hand, first making products safer at the production stage, while WEEE manages them responsibly at the end-of-life stage. Simply, together they create a comprehensive environmental protection framework that reduces the hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Validity and Renewal of RoHS Product Certification Services
The RoHS product certification services in India are generally valid for a period of 5 years from the date of their issuance. In case the product undergoes any significant changes in its design, raw materials, or sourcing procedures at any time, a new or updated certification is required before the standard five-year term expires.
The renewal of RoHS product certification services filed from time to time ensures that your product remains compliant with the latest directives and continues meeting both Indian and international market standards. However, the companies are also required to maintain RoHS compliance as an ongoing responsibility, beyond their validity period.
Timeline to Obtain Online RoHS Certification in India
The typical timeline to obtain a RoHS certificate in India usually takes around 2 to 6 weeks, after the application is submitted to the accredited certification body. However, the exact duration varies based on factors such as product type, complexity testing requirements, efficiency of document submission, and regulatory updates during the process of RoHS certification in India.
Cost of Obtaining a RoHS Certification in India
The cost of obtaining a RoHS certification in India varies, with prices typically ranging from Rs. 3,500 to Rs. 20,000, depending upon factors such as certification body, product complexity, product type, number of components, and other testing requirements.
How Does Enterclimate Assist in Obtaining RoHS Certification?
Enterclimate is a trusted compliance consultancy dedicated to helping businesses secure and maintain RoHS compliance certification in India. Connect with us to ensure smooth compliance with regulatory requirements, end-to-end assistance from documentation to certification, as discussed below:
- 10+ years of compliance expertise in handling environmental and product safety
- Assisted 500+ business owners in electronics, IT, automotive & consumer goods sectors
- Expert consultation helping you understand RoHS directives and compliance obligations
- Complete documentation support in preparing technical files and declarations
- End-to-end assistance throughout the RoHS certification process
- Post-certification support for labelling, renewals & compliance with future RoHS amendments
- Offers highly professional, time-bound, and effective results while implementing RoHS
- Customized solutions & compliance strategies for your business model and product line
- Hassle-free support for certificate renewal and ongoing regulatory updates
- Simplified renewal and certification assistance, reducing administrative burdens
- Provides capacity-building sessions for internal teams, ensuring sustained RoHS compliance
Frequently Asked Questions on RoHS Certification Services
RoHS certification in India is granted by independent, accredited third-party compliance testing and certification bodies and consultants, having a very strong reputation for independence and impartiality. They also have extensive experience in the certification of electrical safety for electrical equipment with world-class testing laboratories.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) certification, which is also known as the Directive 2002/95/EC, is a certificate granted to restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
To get a RoHS certification, you need to first contact an accredited testing and certification body, such as an ISO 17025 certification lab, to test your product for restricted substances.
Yes, as per the EU RoHS Directive, all manufacturers are eligible to self-certify RoHS compliance along with a conformity assessment and issuance of a self-declaration.
The process to obtain a RoHS certification in India requires compliance with the following steps, as discussed below:
- Step 1: Understand RoHS Requirements
- Step 2: Document Preparation & Review
- Step 3: Product Testing & Analysis
- Step 4: Apply to Certification Body
- Step 5: Undergo Audit & Verification
- Step 6: Obtain RoHS Compliance Certification
The 10 restricted substances in the RoHS directive are lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI)), Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB), Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
Yes, obtaining a RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) compliance certification is mandatory for manufacturers, importers, and brand owners of specific electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) under the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022.
A RoHS certificate is generally valid for 5 years from the date of its issuance. However, this validity period can be shortened if the product’s design, raw materials, or sourcing procedures undergo significant changes from the 5-year mark.
Yes, for electrical and electronic products, compliance with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive is a mandatory requirement for applying the CE mark and selling those products in the European Economic Area (EEA).
While the original RoHS directive is from the European Union, many other countries and regions, including, UK, China, India, Japan, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, and Turkey, have developed their own regulations aligning with the core principles of restricting hazardous substances in electronic and electrical products.
The general cost of RoHS certification in India ranges somewhere from Rs. 3800 to Rs. 35,00 per certificate. However, the final cost depends on factors like the specific service provider, the number of samples tested, whether on-site inspections are included, and the types of services bundled with the certificate.
The RoHS certification is required for products falling under the category of RoHS requirements that are sold in the European Union (EU). However, it isn’t mandatory for products sold solely within India, but for companies selling their products in the European Union and other countries adopting similar regulations.
There are several certifications and accreditations similar to RoHS, aiming to regulate the usage of hazardous substances in various industries. These include REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals), WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive), ELV (End-of-Life Vehicles Directive), EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool), TCO Certified (sustainability certification for IT products), and Energy Star Certification (for energy-efficient products).
RoHS certification, which particularly forbids particularly dangerous substances, offers several benefits as provided below:
- Restricts the usage of dangerous electrical and electronic equipment (EEE)
- Helps reduce the harmful impact of electronic waste on the environment
- Reduce risks for workers involved in the manufacturing units
- Protects consumers from exposure to toxic substances in EEE
- Ensures trade of non-harmful electronic and electrical equipment into the global marketplace
- Assists in gaining greater trust and credibility among consumers, investors, and regulators
- Helps manufacturers to adopt safer materials and cleaner technologies
- Ensures alignment of business with global sustainability goals
- Contributes to greener manufacturing and long-term corporate responsibility
No, the RoHS-certified products are not necessarily completely lead-free. However, it only restricts the use of lead, but a small trace amount of up to 0.1% in specific cases.
Yes, RoHS applies to all components, including plastic parts, coatings, cables, connectors, and internal wiring.
No, the RoHS certification is product-specific, which means each product or model requires its own certification based on their unique components and materials. Hence, RoHS certification cannot be transferred between products.
Yes, all imported electrical and electronic products sold in India must comply with the RoHS standards.
The businesses engaged in the manufacturing, import, or distribution of any type of electrical or electronic equipment (EEE) that is sold within the European Union are impacted by the RoHS Directives.
