RoHS compliance for PCBs: what it covers and what to ask your manufacturer
The restricted substances, the limits, what lead-free surface finish has to do with it, and what is often confused with RoHS.
What RoHS is
RoHS is the European directive on the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (Directive 2011/65/EU, often called RoHS 2). It limits certain substances in the materials of the finished product. A bare PCB is a component of that product, so the board has to be made from materials that allow the final product to comply.
The restricted substances
| Substance | Maximum concentration, per homogeneous material |
|---|---|
| Lead | 0.1 % |
| Mercury | 0.1 % |
| Hexavalent chromium | 0.1 % |
| Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) | 0.1 % |
| Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) | 0.1 % |
| Cadmium | 0.01 % |
| Four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP), added by Directive (EU) 2015/863 | 0.1 % |
For printed circuit boards, lead was the main concern, because tin-lead solder was the standard surface finish for decades.
What it means for the surface finish
A RoHS-compliant board needs a lead-free surface finish. Our standard finish is lead-free HASL (hot air solder levelling with a lead-free alloy); see HASL lead-free and RoHS for how the finish is applied and how it behaves in soldering. The laminate and the solder mask must also be free of the restricted substances.
Common confusions
- RoHS is not the same as halogen-free. RoHS restricts certain brominated flame retardants (PBB, PBDE), but does not require the board to be halogen-free. Halogen-free is a separate customer requirement.
- RoHS does not cover REACH. REACH is a different regulation on chemicals; the two are checked separately.
- A lead-free finish does not make the final product compliant by itself. The manufacturer of the final product is responsible for the product as a whole, including components and solder.
- A RoHS logo is not a certificate. All our boards are RoHS-compliant, and on request we also add the RoHS logo to the board; the certificate (or declaration) is the document that proves compliance.
How to request a RoHS certificate
All our boards are RoHS-compliant. State in your request that you need the RoHS certificate (or declaration), and the document is issued and supplied with the order; if you also want the RoHS logo on the board, say so in the request. You will find the option in the price calculator when you configure the order. For other standards see the guides on IPC classes and electrical test and AOI.
Frequently asked questions
Are your boards RoHS-compliant?
Yes. All our boards are RoHS-compliant, with lead-free HASL as the standard surface finish. On request we also add the RoHS logo to the board and issue a RoHS certificate for your documentation.
Does RoHS mean halogen-free?
No. RoHS restricts certain substances, including some brominated flame retardants, but does not require a halogen-free board. Halogen-free is a separate requirement that has to be specified.
Is lead-free HASL enough for RoHS?
It removes lead from the surface finish, which is the main issue for boards, but compliance covers all materials of the product. Ask for the RoHS certificate if you need a document for your file.
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