[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/UK RoHS Compliance RoHSEnvironmental # UK RoHS Regulations: Hazardous Substances Compliance Guide The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2012 (as amended) restrict 10 hazardous substances in EEE placed on the Great Britain market. Compliance requires supply chain diligence, testing, and comprehensive technical documentation. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fuk-rohs-compliance) ## Restricted substances and limits Substance Limit Common uses Lead (Pb) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Solder, glass, ceramics, batteries Mercury (Hg) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Switches, relays, lamps Cadmium (Cd) 0.01% (100 ppm) Pigments, coatings, batteries Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Corrosion protection, pigments Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Flame retardants in plastics Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Flame retardants in plastics Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Plasticizers, softeners Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Plasticizers, adhesives Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Plasticizers, printing inks Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) 0.1% (1000 ppm) Plasticizers, coatings ## Compliance process 01 ### Product scope verification Confirm your product falls within the scope of the RoHS Regulations—electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) with voltage rating up to 1000V AC or 1500V DC. 02 ### Supplier declarations and material declarations Obtain material declarations from suppliers for all components and sub-assemblies. Request documentation on substance content and compliance status. 03 ### Testing and analysis (if necessary) Conduct XRF screening or chemical analysis if supplier documentation is insufficient or for high-risk components. Labs can perform IEC 62321 testing. 04 ### Technical documentation compilation Create technical documentation showing compliance including product description, supplier declarations, test reports, and compliance assessment. 05 ### Declaration and marking Prepare UK Declaration of Conformity for RoHS. Affix UKCA marking to the product, packaging, or documentation as required. ## Technical documentation RoHS technical documentation must demonstrate compliance with substance restrictions: * Product description and model variants * Bill of materials (BOM) with component details * Supplier declarations and material declarations (MDs) * Test reports (XRF screening, chemical analysis) * Exemption documentation (if applicable) * Compliance assessment and justification * UK Declaration of Conformity Documentation must be maintained for 10 years and provided to authorities upon request. Proper documentation is essential for demonstrating due diligence in case of market surveillance. ## Exemptions and special cases RoHS exemptions allow restricted substances in specific applications where elimination is technically or scientifically impractical. Exemptions are time-limited and subject to regular review by authorities. Common exemption categories include: lead in glass and ceramics; lead in solders for certain applications; mercury in specific lamps and switches; cadmium in photovoltaic panels; and various medical device and monitoring equipment applications. If applying an exemption, manufacturers must document which exemption is used, justify its applicability, and track exemption expiry dates. Products using exemptions must still meet all other RoHS requirements. ## Learn this properly, not just for one product In-depth courses and books that teach the process — not a one-off answer you'll need to look up again next time. [Start the course — $149](/courses/06-rohs-reach-compliance-complete-guide)See your free roadmap [Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/06-rohs-reach-compliance-complete-guide) ## Frequently asked questions ### Does RoHS require UKCA marking? Yes, electrical and electronic equipment within RoHS scope requires UKCA marking for the Great Britain market. The RoHS Regulations are enforced alongside other applicable product regulations like EMC and electrical safety. ### Are there RoHS exemptions? Yes, specific exemptions exist for certain applications where alternatives are not technically or scientifically feasible. Exemptions are time-limited and regularly reviewed. Common exemptions include certain lead uses in glass and ceramics, and specific medical and monitoring equipment applications. ### Do cables and accessories need RoHS compliance? Yes, cables and electrical accessories generally fall within RoHS scope. Cables with a rated voltage up to the specified limits and intended for use with EEE are typically covered by the regulations. 🇬🇧 UK roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇬🇧 UK compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. See compliance services](/services) Learn this properly In-depth course that teaches the full process, not just this one answer. [Start the course — $149](/courses/06-rohs-reach-compliance-complete-guide)[Prefer to read? Get the book — $24.99](/books/06-rohs-reach-compliance-complete-guide) Related guides * [UKCA Marking OverviewComplete guide to UKCA marking for the Great Britain market: requirements, timeline, costs, GB vs NI differences, and how to tr…](/guides/ukca-marking) * [UKCA Consumer ElectronicsComplete guide to UKCA marking for consumer electronics: applicable regulations, testing requirements, cost breakdown, and real…](/guides/ukca-consumer-electronics) * [UK REACH ChemicalsComplete guide to UK REACH: substance registration, restrictions, authorisation, and compliance obligations for chemicals place…](/guides/uk-reach-chemicals) * [UK Restricted Substances Chemical TestingChemical substance testing for UK market compliance: UK RoHS restricted substances, UK REACH candidate list duties, toy chemical requirements under BS EN 71-3, and how to commission and read test reports from UKAS-accredited laboratories.](/guides/uk-restricted-substances-chemical-testing) Educational resource only. RoHS substance restrictions are regularly updated. Always verify current requirements and exemption lists.