[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":398},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-rohs-compliant-pcb-guide-en":3,"header-nav-en":75},{"title":4,"description":5,"date":6,"lastUpdated":6,"category":7,"image":8,"readingTime":9,"wordCount":10,"timeRequired":11,"htmlContent":12,"tags":13,"slug":21,"jsonld":22},"RoHS Compliant PCB & PCBA: What It Means and How to Verify","What RoHS compliant means for PCBs and PCBA: the 10 restricted substances, RoHS 2 vs RoHS 3, exemptions, and which documents to request from suppliers.","2026-10-01","technology","/assets/img/pcb/pcb-surface-finishes-xrf-thickness-verification.webp",14,2615,"PT14M","\u003Cp>\u003Cstrong>RoHS compliant means that a product does not contain the restricted substances listed in the EU RoHS Directive above their maximum concentration limits, unless a specific exemption applies.\u003C/strong> RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. The directive (2011/65/EU, often called RoHS 2, as amended by Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863) restricts ten substances, including lead, mercury, cadmium, and four phthalates. The limits apply to each homogeneous material in the product, not to the product's average weight.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>For a PCB or PCBA, that means every layer of the bare board, every solder joint, every component, and every coating, adhesive, and label has to meet the limits. No single supplier can guarantee all of that alone, so RoHS compliance is built from evidence: supplier declarations, material data, process controls, and the product owner's technical documentation.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>This guide explains what RoHS compliant means, lists the ten substances and their limits, shows which PCB and PCBA materials carry the most risk, explains how exemptions work, and sets out how to verify compliance and what to write in an RFQ.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"key-takeaways\" data-anchor-en=\"key-takeaways\">Key takeaways\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>RoHS restricts ten substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Nine have a limit of 0.1% by weight; cadmium has a limit of 0.01%.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Limits apply per homogeneous material, such as a solder joint, a plating layer, or a plastic housing, not to the whole board.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>"RoHS 3" is an informal name for RoHS 2 with the four phthalates added by Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863. It is not a separate directive.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>The product manufacturer (the company placing the product on the market) holds legal responsibility and the technical documentation. Board and assembly suppliers provide evidence for their part.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Exemptions are narrow, time-limited, and were restructured in 2025 for several lead uses. Cite the exact current exemption, not a generic number.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Verify with declarations and documentation first, and use XRF screening and lab testing to check high-risk materials.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cdiv data-component=\"BlogQuickQuoteInline\">\u003C/div>\n\n\u003Ch2 id=\"what-does-rohs-compliant-mean\" data-anchor-en=\"what-does-rohs-compliant-mean\">What does RoHS compliant mean?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>A product is RoHS compliant when each homogeneous material in it stays below the maximum concentration values in Annex II of the directive, or when a use above the limit is covered by a valid exemption in Annex III or IV. In practice, a RoHS compliant PCB or PCBA:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Uses lead-free solder, unless a valid exemption covers a specific joint\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Uses a surface finish without restricted substances, such as ENIG, OSP, immersion silver, immersion tin, or lead-free HASL instead of tin-lead HASL\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Uses components whose manufacturers declare them compliant\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Uses laminates, solder mask, inks, coatings, and adhesives that do not contain restricted flame retardants or phthalates above the limits\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Is supported by documentation that shows how compliance was assessed\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>"RoHS certified" is a common phrase, but the EU directive does not have a certification body or certificate. Compliance is self-declared by the manufacturer through an EU declaration of conformity and the CE marking process, backed by technical documentation. Third-party test reports and supplier declarations are evidence, not certification.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"rohs-2-vs-rohs-3-the-10-restricted-substances-and-limits\" data-anchor-en=\"rohs-2-vs-rohs-3-the-10-restricted-substances-and-limits\">RoHS 2 vs RoHS 3: the 10 restricted substances and limits\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>RoHS 2 (Directive 2011/65/EU) originally listed six substances. Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 added four phthalates, bringing the list to ten. That amended list is what people mean when they say "RoHS 3."\u003C/p>\n\u003Ctable>\n\u003Cthead>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>Substance\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>Abbreviation\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>Maximum concentration in homogeneous material\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>Where it can appear in PCB and PCBA work\u003C/th>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003C/thead>\n\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Lead\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Pb\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Tin-lead solder, tin-lead HASL, some component terminations, some glass and ceramic parts\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Mercury\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Hg\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Some switches, relays, and lamps; rare on modern PCBAs\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Cadmium\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Cd\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.01% (100 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Some pigments, plating, older contacts\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Hexavalent chromium\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Cr(VI)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Some chromate conversion coatings on hardware\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Polybrominated biphenyls\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>PBB\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Certain legacy flame retardants in plastics\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Polybrominated diphenyl ethers\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>PBDE\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Certain legacy flame retardants in plastics and cable\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>DEHP\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Plasticizers in cable jackets, tubing, some tapes and labels\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Butyl benzyl phthalate\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>BBP\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Plasticizers in PVC, adhesives\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Dibutyl phthalate\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>DBP\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Plasticizers, some inks and adhesives\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Diisobutyl phthalate\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>DIBP\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>0.1% (1,000 ppm)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Plasticizers, some inks and adhesives\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003C/tbody>\u003C/table>\n\u003Cp>The phthalate restriction has applied since 22 July 2019 for most equipment, and since 22 July 2021 for medical devices (including in vitro diagnostic devices) and monitoring and control instruments (including industrial ones), with specific carve-outs for spare parts and cables for equipment placed on the market before those dates.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Note that the brominated flame retardant TBBPA, common in FR-4 epoxy, is not one of the ten RoHS substances. That is why standard FR-4 can be RoHS compliant while not being halogen-free.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"which-pcb-and-pcba-materials-are-at-risk\" data-anchor-en=\"which-pcb-and-pcba-materials-are-at-risk\">Which PCB and PCBA materials are at risk?\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>The matrix below is the main tool in this guide. It lists the materials in a typical PCBA, the RoHS substances that can appear in each, the evidence to request, and who normally owns that evidence.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ctable>\n\u003Cthead>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>Material or part\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>Restricted substances to watch\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>Evidence to request\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>Who provides it\u003C/th>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003C/thead>\n\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Bare board surface finish\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Lead (tin-lead HASL)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Finish specification on the fabrication drawing; finish chemistry declaration; XRF screening if in doubt\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>PCB fabricator\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Laminate and prepreg\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>PBB, PBDE (legacy flame retardants)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Laminate supplier RoHS declaration or material data\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>PCB fabricator, from laminate supplier\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Solder mask and legend ink\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Cadmium and lead in pigments, phthalates\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Ink and mask supplier declarations\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>PCB fabricator\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Solder paste, bar, and wire\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Lead\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Alloy specification (for example SAC305) and supplier declaration\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Assembler\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Components\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Lead in terminations or internal joints, cadmium, mercury, phthalates in plastics\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Manufacturer RoHS declarations, full material declarations for critical parts, exemption references where used\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Component manufacturers, collected by whoever buys the parts\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Conformal coating, potting, adhesives\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Phthalates, other plasticizers\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Material supplier declarations\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Assembler or material supplier\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Cables, wire harnesses, sleeving\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Phthalates, PBDE, lead in PVC stabilizers\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Cable supplier declarations\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Whoever sources the cables\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Mechanical hardware\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Hexavalent chromium in coatings, lead in brass or steel alloys\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Plating and alloy declarations; exemption reference for alloys if used\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Hardware supplier\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Labels, tapes, packaging inside the product\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Phthalates, heavy metals in inks\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Supplier declarations\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Product owner or assembler\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003C/tbody>\u003C/table>\n\u003Cp>Who owns the final decision? The product manufacturer. A PCB fabricator can declare that its boards meet RoHS limits. An assembler can declare that its solder and process materials are compliant and that it built with the parts on the BOM. If the customer supplies components, or specifies a part that relies on an exemption, the customer holds that evidence.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"rohs-exemptions-that-still-allow-lead\" data-anchor-en=\"rohs-exemptions-that-still-allow-lead\">RoHS exemptions that still allow lead\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Annex III and Annex IV of the directive list exemptions where restricted substances are still allowed in specific applications. Most exemptions that matter for electronics involve lead. Examples include:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Lead in high-melting-temperature solders\u003C/strong> (lead-based alloys with 85% or more lead), historically exemption 7(a). Delegated Directive (EU) 2025/1802 replaced the single 7(a) entry with seven narrower sub-entries, 7(a)-I to 7(a)-VII, each tied to a specific use such as internal interconnections, die attach, certain solder joints, hermetic seals, some lamps, and audio transducers. These entries apply from 1 July 2026 and, as published, expire on 31 December 2027 unless renewed.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Lead in glass or ceramic\u003C/strong> in electronic components, historically the 7(c) series. This series was also redefined in 2025, including new entries for glass and functional ceramics.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Lead as an alloying element\u003C/strong> in steel, aluminum, and copper alloys, the 6 series, which was redefined in 2025 as well.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>What this means for buyers:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Do not accept a declaration that simply says "7(a)" or "7(c)-I". Ask which current sub-entry applies and its expiry date.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Exemptions belong to specific uses, not to whole products. A component maker may rely on one internally; that does not exempt your solder joints.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Expiry and renewal dates change. Check the current consolidated directive on EUR-Lex before you rely on any exemption.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"/en/blog/lead-free-vs-leaded-solder\">lead-free vs leaded solder guide\u003C/a> explains when tin-lead solder is still used and what changes in the process.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"how-to-verify-rohs-compliance\" data-anchor-en=\"how-to-verify-rohs-compliance\">How to verify RoHS compliance\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>RoHS verification is mainly a documentation exercise, with testing used to confirm high-risk items. The harmonized standard EN IEC 63000:2018 describes the technical documentation a manufacturer assembles to show compliance. A practical approach:\u003C/p>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Collect supplier declarations.\u003C/strong> Get RoHS declarations for the bare board, solder and process materials, and every BOM line. For complex or high-risk parts, ask for full material declarations (for example in IPC-1752A format).\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Check exemptions.\u003C/strong> Record every exemption a supplier relies on, with the exact entry and expiry date.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Assess supplier risk.\u003C/strong> Decide which materials need extra checks based on supplier reliability, material type, and history.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Screen with XRF.\u003C/strong> X-ray fluorescence can quickly screen metals and bromine in materials. It is useful for checking finishes, solder, and plastics, but it cannot identify phthalates and has detection limits that depend on the material and sample.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Use lab testing when needed.\u003C/strong> The IEC 62321 series defines test methods for restricted substances, including chemical analysis for phthalates and confirmation of XRF screening results.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Control changes.\u003C/strong> Track BOM substitutions, supplier changes, and material changes so the documentation stays valid for each product revision.\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Issue the declaration.\u003C/strong> The product manufacturer signs the EU declaration of conformity based on this technical file.\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ol>\n\u003Cp>For assemblies, this work connects naturally to \u003Ca href=\"/en/pcba/incoming-quality-control\">incoming quality control\u003C/a>, where received parts and declarations are checked before they enter production, and to \u003Ca href=\"/en/pcba/component-sourcing\">component sourcing\u003C/a>, where RoHS and REACH requirements are part of each BOM line.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"rohs-vs-reach-vs-halogen-free\" data-anchor-en=\"rohs-vs-reach-vs-halogen-free\">RoHS vs REACH vs halogen-free\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>These three are often confused. They are separate requirements with different scopes.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ctable>\n\u003Cthead>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Cth>Requirement\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>What it covers\u003C/th>\n\u003Cth>What it means for a PCBA\u003C/th>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003C/thead>\n\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>RoHS (EU Directive 2011/65/EU)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Ten restricted substances in electrical and electronic equipment, per homogeneous material\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Lead-free solder and finishes, compliant components and materials, technical documentation\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>REACH (EU Regulation 1907/2006)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Chemicals in general. Article 33 requires suppliers to communicate when an article contains a substance on the Candidate List of substances of very high concern (SVHC) above 0.1% by weight\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Suppliers must tell you if an SVHC exceeds 0.1% in an article; the Candidate List is updated regularly\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003Ctr>\n\u003Ctd>Halogen-free (for example IEC 61249-2-21)\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Limits on chlorine and bromine in base materials, typically defined by the laminate standard or customer specification\u003C/td>\n\u003Ctd>Requires a halogen-free laminate and often halogen-free solder mask and flux. Standard FR-4 can be RoHS compliant but not halogen-free\u003C/td>\n\u003C/tr>\n\u003C/tbody>\u003C/table>\n\u003Cp>A product can be RoHS compliant and still have REACH obligations, and a halogen-free requirement is always a separate customer or market choice.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"what-to-write-in-a-rohs-pcba-rfq\" data-anchor-en=\"what-to-write-in-a-rohs-pcba-rfq\">What to write in a RoHS PCBA RFQ\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>Make RoHS requirements explicit in the purchase documents. A clear RFQ includes:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> The applicable requirement: "EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU as amended, including (EU) 2015/863"\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> Lead-free process and alloy (for example SAC305), and whether any exemption is permitted\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> RoHS compliant surface finish on the bare board (state the finish)\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> Requirement that all purchased components are RoHS compliant, with declarations retained\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> Which party supplies which components, and who holds their declarations\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> REACH SVHC communication requirement, if you need it\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> Halogen-free requirement, if any, stated separately\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> Documents to deliver: certificate of conformance, supplier declarations, material declarations for listed parts, test reports if required\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cinput disabled=\"\" type=\"checkbox\"> Change notification rules for any material or component substitution\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003Cp>The \u003Ca href=\"/en/blog/how-to-request-a-pcb-quote-rfq-checklist\">RFQ checklist for PCB quotes\u003C/a> covers the rest of the quote package.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch2 id=\"how-aptpcb-supports-rohs-compliant-builds\" data-anchor-en=\"how-aptpcb-supports-rohs-compliant-builds\">How APTPCB supports RoHS compliant builds\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>APTPCB builds RoHS compliant boards with lead-free surface finishes such as ENIG, ENEPIG, OSP, immersion silver, immersion tin, and lead-free HASL, and assembles them with lead-free processes when that is what the order specifies. Component sourcing treats RoHS and REACH requirements as part of each BOM line's quality and traceability data, and incoming inspection checks parts and documents against the agreed plan. The \u003Ca href=\"/en/pcba/final-quality-inspection\">PCBA quality inspection and compliance checks\u003C/a> close the record for each lot before release, with the documents agreed in the order.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Final product compliance remains the responsibility of the company placing the product on the market. APTPCB provides the manufacturing evidence for the board and assembly it builds.\u003C/p>\n\u003Cp>Relevant standards and references may include:\u003C/p>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) and Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Commission Delegated Directives (EU) 2025/1802, 2025/2363 and 2025/2364 (lead exemption updates)\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>EN IEC 63000:2018: technical documentation for the assessment of electrical and electronic products with respect to the restriction of hazardous substances\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>IEC 62321 series: determination of certain substances in electrotechnical products\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>IPC-1752A: materials declaration management\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH)\u003C/li>\n\u003Cli>IEC 61249-2-21: halogen-free base materials\u003C/li>\n\u003C/ul>\n\u003C!-- faq:start -->\n\u003Ch2 id=\"frequently-asked-questions\" data-anchor-en=\"frequently-asked-questions\">Frequently asked questions\u003C/h2>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"what-does-rohs-compliant-mean-2\" data-anchor-en=\"what-does-rohs-compliant-mean\">What does RoHS compliant mean?\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>RoHS compliant means a product does not contain any of the ten substances restricted by the EU RoHS Directive above their maximum concentration in any homogeneous material, unless a valid exemption applies. The limits are 0.1% by weight for nine substances and 0.01% for cadmium.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"what-is-the-difference-between-rohs-2-and-rohs-3\" data-anchor-en=\"what-is-the-difference-between-rohs-2-and-rohs-3\">What is the difference between RoHS 2 and RoHS 3?\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>RoHS 2 is Directive 2011/65/EU, which restricted six substances. "RoHS 3" is an informal name for RoHS 2 after Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 added four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP), bringing the total to ten. It is an amendment, not a separate directive.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"is-a-rohs-compliant-pcb-lead-free\" data-anchor-en=\"is-a-rohs-compliant-pcb-lead-free\">Is a RoHS compliant PCB lead-free?\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>A RoHS compliant PCB uses a lead-free surface finish and, once assembled, lead-free solder, unless a specific exemption covers a particular use. Some components may still contain lead internally under an exemption, which should be declared by the component manufacturer.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"who-is-responsible-for-rohs-compliance-of-a-pcba\" data-anchor-en=\"who-is-responsible-for-rohs-compliance-of-a-pcba\">Who is responsible for RoHS compliance of a PCBA?\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>The company that places the final product on the market is legally responsible and holds the technical documentation. PCB fabricators, assemblers, and component makers provide declarations and evidence for the materials and processes they supply.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"how-is-rohs-compliance-tested\" data-anchor-en=\"how-is-rohs-compliance-tested\">How is RoHS compliance tested?\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>Most compliance is shown with supplier declarations and technical documentation. XRF screening is used to check metals and bromine in high-risk materials, and laboratory methods from the IEC 62321 series confirm results and test for phthalates, which XRF cannot detect.\u003C/p>\n\u003Ch3 id=\"is-rohs-the-same-as-reach\" data-anchor-en=\"is-rohs-the-same-as-reach\">Is RoHS the same as REACH?\u003C/h3>\n\u003Cp>No. RoHS restricts ten substances in electrical and electronic equipment. REACH is a broader chemicals regulation; under Article 33, suppliers must tell customers when an article contains a substance of very high concern above 0.1% by weight. A PCBA can need to satisfy both.\u003C/p>\n\u003C!-- faq:end -->\n\n\u003Cdiv data-component=\"BlogQuickQuoteInline\">\u003C/div>\n\n\u003Ch2 id=\"build-compliance-from-evidence\" data-anchor-en=\"build-compliance-from-evidence\">Build compliance from evidence\u003C/h2>\n\u003Cp>A RoHS compliant PCBA is the result of compliant materials, a lead-free process, and documentation that ties every material to a declaration. Specify the requirement and the documents in your RFQ, decide who owns each piece of evidence, check exemptions against the current directive, and keep the record up to date as parts change. That turns a "RoHS" label into something you can defend in an audit.\u003C/p>\n\n\u003Csection class=\"related-links\" aria-label=\"Related\">\u003Ch3>Related links\u003C/h3>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"/en/blog/lead-free-vs-leaded-solder\">lead-free vs leaded solder guide\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"/en/pcba/incoming-quality-control\">incoming quality control\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"/en/pcba/component-sourcing\">component sourcing\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"/en/blog/how-to-request-a-pcb-quote-rfq-checklist\">RFQ checklist for PCB quotes\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003Cli>\u003Ca href=\"/en/pcba/final-quality-inspection\">PCBA quality inspection and compliance checks\u003C/a>\u003C/li>\u003C/ul>\u003C/section>",[14,15,16,17,18,19,20],"RoHS Compliant","RoHS Compliance","RoHS PCB","RoHS 3","Restricted Substances","REACH","PCBA Compliance","rohs-compliant-pcb-guide",{"blog":23,"breadcrumb":32,"faq":46},{"@context":24,"@type":25,"headline":4,"description":5,"image":8,"url":26,"datePublished":6,"dateModified":6,"timeRequired":11,"keywords":27,"articleSection":7,"author":28,"publisher":31},"https://schema.org","BlogPosting","https://aptpcb.com/en/blog/rohs-compliant-pcb-guide","RoHS Compliant, RoHS Compliance, RoHS PCB, RoHS 3, Restricted Substances, REACH, PCBA Compliance",{"@type":29,"name":30},"Organization","APTPCB",{"@type":29,"name":30},{"@context":24,"@type":33,"itemListElement":34},"BreadcrumbList",[35,40,44],{"@type":36,"position":37,"name":38,"item":39},"ListItem",1,"Home","https://aptpcb.com/",{"@type":36,"position":41,"name":42,"item":43},2,"Blog","https://aptpcb.com/en/blog",{"@type":36,"position":45,"name":21,"item":26},3,{"@context":24,"@type":47,"mainEntity":48},"FAQPage",[49,55,59,63,67,71],{"@type":50,"name":51,"acceptedAnswer":52},"Question","What does RoHS compliant mean?",{"@type":53,"text":54},"Answer","RoHS compliant means a product does not contain any of the ten substances restricted by the EU RoHS Directive above their maximum concentration in any homogeneous material, unless a valid exemption applies. The limits are 0.1% by weight for nine substances and 0.01% for cadmium.",{"@type":50,"name":56,"acceptedAnswer":57},"What is the difference between RoHS 2 and RoHS 3?",{"@type":53,"text":58},"RoHS 2 is Directive 2011/65/EU, which restricted six substances. \"RoHS 3\" is an informal name for RoHS 2 after Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 added four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP), bringing the total to ten. It is an amendment, not a separate directive.",{"@type":50,"name":60,"acceptedAnswer":61},"Is a RoHS compliant PCB lead-free?",{"@type":53,"text":62},"A RoHS compliant PCB uses a lead-free surface finish and, once assembled, lead-free solder, unless a specific exemption covers a particular use. Some components may still contain lead internally under an exemption, which should be declared by the component manufacturer.",{"@type":50,"name":64,"acceptedAnswer":65},"Who is responsible for RoHS compliance of a PCBA?",{"@type":53,"text":66},"The company that places the final product on the market is legally responsible and holds the technical documentation. PCB fabricators, assemblers, and component makers provide declarations and evidence for the materials and processes they supply.",{"@type":50,"name":68,"acceptedAnswer":69},"How is RoHS compliance tested?",{"@type":53,"text":70},"Most compliance is shown with supplier declarations and technical documentation. XRF screening is used to check metals and bromine in high-risk materials, and laboratory methods from the IEC 62321 series confirm results and test for phthalates, which XRF cannot detect.",{"@type":50,"name":72,"acceptedAnswer":73},"Is RoHS the same as REACH?",{"@type":53,"text":74},"No. RoHS restricts ten substances in electrical and electronic equipment. REACH is a broader chemicals regulation; under Article 33, suppliers must tell customers when an article contains a substance of very high concern above 0.1% by weight. A PCBA can need to satisfy both.",{"pcbManufacturingColumns":76,"capabilityColumns":201,"resourceColumns":232,"pcbaColumns":273},[77,125,154,183],{"heading":78,"links":79},"PCB Product Families",[80,83,86,89,92,95,98,101,104,107,110,113,116,119,122],{"label":81,"path":82},"FR-4 PCB","/pcb/fr4-pcb",{"label":84,"path":85},"High-Speed PCB","/pcb/high-speed-pcb",{"label":87,"path":88},"Multilayer PCB","/pcb/multilayer-pcb",{"label":90,"path":91},"HDI PCB","/pcb/hdi-pcb",{"label":93,"path":94},"Flexible PCB","/pcb/flex-pcb",{"label":96,"path":97},"Rigid Flex PCB","/pcb/rigid-flex-pcb",{"label":99,"path":100},"Ceramic PCB","/pcb/ceramic-pcb",{"label":102,"path":103},"Heavy Copper PCB","/pcb/heavy-copper-pcb",{"label":105,"path":106},"High Thermal PCB","/pcb/high-thermal-pcb",{"label":108,"path":109},"Antenna PCB","/pcb/antenna-pcb",{"label":111,"path":112},"High Frequency PCB","/pcb/high-frequency-pcb",{"label":114,"path":115},"Microwave 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