Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
An EU directive restricting the use of specific hazardous materials (lead, mercury, cadmium, etc.) in electrical and electronic equipment. RoHS compliance is required for selling electronics in the EU and is widely adopted globally.
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a European Union directive (2011/65/EU, commonly called RoHS 2) that restricts the use of ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). The restricted substances include lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and four types of phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP). Maximum concentration limits are set at 0.1% by weight for most substances and 0.01% for cadmium.
While RoHS is an EU directive, its influence is global. Most reputable electronics manufacturers now produce RoHS-compliant products by default, because maintaining separate compliant and non-compliant production lines is impractical. Many other countries have adopted similar regulations (China RoHS, Korea RoHS, India RoHS), and major US retailers increasingly require RoHS compliance even though the US has not adopted a federal equivalent.
For DTC founders selling electronics or products containing electronic components, RoHS compliance is straightforward if you work with established manufacturers. Ask your supplier for a RoHS declaration of conformity and material test reports. The supplier should be able to provide XRF (X-ray fluorescence) test results for each material in the product demonstrating compliance with the restricted substance limits.
Why it matters
Request RoHS test reports from your supplier, not just a self-declaration. Reputable factories will have XRF test results available. If selling globally, treat RoHS compliance as a baseline requirement for any product with electronic components.
Practical Tip
Request RoHS test reports from your supplier, not just a self-declaration. Reputable factories will have XRF test results available. If selling globally, treat RoHS compliance as a baseline requirement for any product with electronic components.
You'll hear this when…
When setting requirements
“"Our spec sheet references the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) threshold — all units must meet or exceed this before shipment."”
When reviewing an inspection report
“"The third-party inspector flagged two units that failed the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) check."”
When negotiating with a supplier
“"What is your factory's standard Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) rejection rate, and how do you handle non-conforming units?"”
Related Terms
Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals
REACHAn EU regulation governing the use of chemical substances in products sold in Europe. REACH applies to all physical products (not just electronics) and restricts over 200 Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs).
CE Marking
CEA mandatory conformity marking for products sold in the European Economic Area (EEA), indicating compliance with EU health, safety, and environmental protection legislation. Required for electronics, toys, machinery, medical devices, and many other product categories.
UL Certification
ULSafety certification from Underwriters Laboratories (UL) for products that involve electrical components, fire risk, or safety-critical applications. While not legally required, UL certification is effectively mandatory for retail distribution in the US.
Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act
CPSIAUS federal law establishing safety standards for consumer products, with especially strict requirements for children's products including lead limits, phthalate restrictions, and mandatory third-party testing.
This term appears in every Bottlecap report.
See it in action — explore a full sample analysis.
Ready to put this knowledge to work?
Get a complete manufacturing feasibility report for your product idea — with cost breakdowns, supplier recommendations, and optimization tips.
Analyze my idea →