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EU RoHS
The EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment with the aim of protecting human health and supporting environmentally sound recycling and disposal.
The requirements apply to a broad range of electrical and electronic equipment, including household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, consumer electronics, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment, medical and monitoring equipment, and other applicable products.
RoHS restricts lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). Directive (EU) 2015/863 additionally introduced restrictions on DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP.
EU REACH
The European Union established REACH as an integrated regulatory framework for the management of chemical substances through the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals.
Manufacturers and importers of substances imported into the EU in quantities of one metric ton or more per year are required to register the substances with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). If a substance imported into the EU is classified as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC), authorization may be required.
Where an article contains an SVHC at a concentration exceeding 0.1% and the total amount exceeds one metric ton per year, notification to ECHA may be required under Article 7(2) of REACH, subject to applicable exemptions and conditions.
EU Packaging
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 on packaging and packaging waste (PPWR) establishes sustainability, labelling and waste-management requirements for packaging throughout its life cycle.
Under Article 5 of the PPWR, the sum of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) in packaging or packaging components must not exceed 100 ppm by weight. Packaging must also meet applicable requirements for reuse, recyclability and other sustainability criteria.
EU Batteries
Batteries and waste batteries placed on the EU market are primarily regulated by Regulation (EU) 2023/1542 concerning batteries and waste batteries (the EU Batteries Regulation), as amended. Applicable from 18 August 2024, the Regulation repealed the previous framework under Directive 2006/66/EC and establishes requirements across the battery life cycle, including sustainability, safety, substance restrictions, conformity assessment, CE marking, labelling and information, removability and replaceability, extended producer responsibility, collection, treatment, recycling and material recovery.
Under Article 6 and Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, as amended, batteries are subject to restrictions on certain hazardous substances, including mercury, cadmium and lead.
In particular:
- Mercury: Batteries, including batteries incorporated into appliances, light means of transport or other vehicles, shall generally not contain more than 0.0005% mercury by weight.
- Cadmium: Portable batteries, including those incorporated into appliances, light means of transport or other vehicles, shall generally not contain more than 0.002% cadmium by weight. Specific exemptions and additional requirements apply to certain battery categories.
- Lead: From 18 August 2024, portable batteries, whether or not incorporated into appliances, shall generally not contain more than 0.01% lead by weight. Specific exemptions and transitional provisions apply.
In addition to substance restrictions, applicable batteries and economic operators must comply with relevant requirements concerning conformity assessment, EU Declarations of Conformity, CE marking, technical documentation, labelling and information, separate collection marking, removability and replaceability, QR codes and, where applicable, battery passports, carbon footprint, recycled content, supply-chain due diligence and waste-battery management.
The applicable requirements and implementation dates vary depending on the battery category, capacity, application and role of the relevant economic operator. Product-specific compliance assessments should therefore be conducted before batteries or products incorporating batteries are placed on the EU market.
China RoHS
China's Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products came into effect on July 1, 2016.
Electrical and electronic products sold in China are required to comply with applicable requirements, including environmental protection use period labeling in accordance with SJ/T 11364-2014, Marking for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products, as well as restricted substance concentration limits specified in GB/T 26572-2011, Requirements of Concentration Limits for Certain Restricted Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products.
Taiwan Chemical Substance Regulations
IEI manages applicable operations in accordance with Taiwan requirements concerning regulated toxic and concerned chemical substances.
EU Deca-BDE, PFOS and DMF
The European Union has established specific restrictions and control requirements for Deca-BDE, PFOS, and DMF.
California Proposition 65
California Proposition 65, formally known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act, came into effect in November 1986.
For complete and up-to-date information, please refer to the official website.
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
IEI monitors and manages applicable restrictions and reporting requirements for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in its products and supply chain, with reference to relevant laws in major markets, including EU REACH Annex XVII, the EU POPs Regulation and the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).
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