DEKRA Highlights Changes to RoHS Directive

No More Plasticizers in Electronic Products

Feb 06, 2019

A ban on certain phthalate plasticizers in electronic products comes into force on July 22, 2019. The most recent amendment to the RoHS Directive forbids the use of four substances in most electrical and electronic equipment, for example in power cable insulation. Manufacturers and importers must ensure that their products are free of these plasticizers if they want to avoid costly product recalls, advise experts from DEKRA.

The RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) includes a list of prohibited substances in electrical and electronic equipment. This ban has covered heavy metals and brominated flame retardants since 2005 and has now been expanded to include the plasticizers DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP. These phthalates are already subject to a range of specific prohibitions, such as restrictions under REACH Annex XVII for toys and baby products.
Electrical and electronic devices that exceed the 0.1% (by weight) per homogeneous material limit can no longer be sold as of July 22, 2019. An extended phase-out period will be in place until 2021 for medical equipment and monitoring and control instruments only.
Manufacturers and importers should therefore ensure that their products no longer contain these substances, otherwise they may face expensive consequences such as product recalls. DEKRA recommends an effective combination of measures such as supplier management and analyzing random samples in labs. EN 50581 includes a number of stipulations explaining how this can be done.