Directive 2011/65/EU, RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances), restricts the use of certain substances in electrical and electronic equipment in the EU member states. It was implemented in German law by the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Substances Ordinance (Elektro- und Elektronikgeräte-StoffV), which came into force on May 09, 2013.
The following is a list of substances that are subject to restrictions according to Annex II. The maximum permissible concentrations in relation to the homogeneous material are given in percent by weight:
- lead (0.1 %)
- mercury (0,1 %)
- cadmium (0.01%)
- Hexavalent chromium (0.1 %)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (0.1 %)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (0,1 %)
Expansion from July 2019:
- Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (0.1 %)
- Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (0.1 %)
- Dibutylphthalate (DBP) (0.1 %)
- Diisobutylphthalate (DIBP) (0.1%)
The extended substance restrictions apply after a transition period for equipment category 9 (monitoring and control instruments in industry) from 22 July 2021.