RoHS Compliance Certificate: an Overview

RoHS is an abbreviated term for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. It is also regarded as the Directive 2002/95/EC. It seeks to prohibit the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical equipment. RoHS certification serves as a mandate for EEE producers in India. It is subjected to various legalities and technical documentation.

In India, demand for electrical items is rising widely. Consequently, this poses a risk to the environment and human life. Moreover, swiftly developing technologies advocate end-users to discard electronic goods quickly, resulting in a steep rise in the amount of e-waste.

Keeping this in view, the GOI and the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) have implemented Hazardous Substance's Restriction. Electronic goods producers and importers may be subjected to RoHS norms depending on the company's size and type of imported items.

Who is mandated to comply with "RoHS compliance"? 

RoHS compliance implies that an electrical item has been tested for ten prohibitive substances by an independent agency & that the test level of substances does not surpass the RoHS threshold. RoHS 3, the upgraded version of the RoHS directives, prohibits the use of the following substances in electronics goods: 

• Cadmium
• Lead
• Hexavalent chromium
• Mercury
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)

Exempted items under RoHS

• Military & National Defence products
• Products that do not seek power to perform their function
• Sub-assembly or component falling under the exempted product category
• Products that support manufacturing and service firms that lack a sizeable footprint, as defined by the MSME Act, 2006
• Batteries
• Radioactive waste

Process of RoHS Certification

Step 1: Documentation Inspection

Evaluate and confirm the documents' status and the testing's scope that is required. Bills are scrutinized, material declarations for each product are prepared, assembly drawings, certificate of conformance, and test outcomes are furnished to the company's network, and a file of compliances is prepared. 

Step 2: Verification via Testing 

RoHS Certification process initiates with the testing. To calculate the values of the six banned substances under RoHS, on-site or lab phthalate solvent extraction testing/or XRF testing is being performed. These testing will help ascertain whether the level of substance is below the RoHS threshold or not. 

Step 4: End Product Analysis

Post testing, the next step is on-site scrutiny of all manufacturing processes for RoHS compliance. The auditing process involves an inspection of the goods, a quality management system, etc. Some auditing companies perform yearly follow-ups, including sampling, to ensure compliance.

Step 5: Grant of Certification

Once the auditing process reaches successful completion, a RoHS certificate is granted. It is also termed as a Certificate of conformity or Declaration of Conformity.

Technical File Requirements

• Product detail, design, & structure information 
• Risk assessments relating to Material, part, and subassembly
• Conformity information about the Material, part, and subassembly
• Manufacturing process records and documents
• Standards, specs, and procedure of conformance that is all in sync 

Renewal of RoHS certificate 

RoHS certificate remains valid for five years. Re-certification becomes necessary if the products undergo multiple changes in terms of raw Material, design, or sourcing procedures.

Significance of RoHS certificate in EPR authorization

EPR plan refers to a producer's implementation plan. Under this plan, the producer provides a comprehensive scheme to meet its Extended Producer Responsibility for accomplishing targets and briefs out the method for accumulation and mobilization of e-waste generated. The EPR plan seeks;

• Estimating the quantum of E-waste generated from their end-to-life items;
• Drafting a scheme for accumulation and mobilization of their end-of-life items with the same EEE code to certified recyclers/ dismantlers
• Estimating budget for EPR implementation
• Outlining schemes for creating awareness 

Declaration on ROHS compliance and submission of documentation in this context Before applying for EPR authorization with the Central Pollution Control Board, the applicant must cover all these points, including the declaration on RoHS compliances in the EPR action plan. It is also evident that the applicant must obtain a RoHC certificate beforehand prior to the drafting of the EPR plan. 

How can Corpbiz help clients to comply with RoHS directives seamlessly?

RoHS directives revolve around stringent norms relating to the usage of banned substances. Some producers may find it challenging to ensure adherence to RoHC norms, be it a matter of testing goods or confirming standards relating to the quality management system. An experienced service provider like Corpbiz can help you overcome such hurdles easily.