Regulations on hazardous substances in consumer products aim to prevent human health risks, reduce the environmental impact of end-of-life products, and simplify waste management. Many jurisdictions worldwide have issued laws restricting the use of hazardous substances in those products. One of the most important regulations in this field is the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC), which initially applies to consumer electrical and electronic equipment.
RoHS directive 2002/95/EC prohibits manufacturers from using materials, parts, and subassemblies that contain more than 1000 ppm each of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), hexavalent chromium (Cr VI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), or more than 100 ppm of cadmium (Cd). The RoHS II directive (2011/65/EU) extended the regulation to include additional products such as medical devices and monitoring and control instruments. The RoHS II directive was later amended (2015/863/EU) to prohibit four common phthalate plasticizers: bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) at levels above 1000 ppm. The RoHS directive also regulates the recycling of all types of electrical goods related to the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (2012/19/EU).