Chinese RoHS law differs from EU counterpart

China's RoHS law may be based on the EU RoHS Directive, but there are many differences between the now-current EU legislation and its Chinese counterpart that comes into effect on 1st March 2007.

The China RoHS law was developed as a reaction to the EU RoHS Directive, but there are significant differences between the product categories that fall within the scope of the two.

Electronic radar products, electronic telecommunications products, broadcast and TV products, computer products, household electronic products, electronic measuring instruments, special electronic apparatus, electronic components, electronic applications equipment, electronic raw materials etc and packaging materials all fall within the scope of the China RoHS, but toys are not covered.

Unlike the EU RoHS Directive, which lists categories of exempted products, the China RoHS law lists those products that are covered.

The covered products have been specified by the Chinese Ministry of Information Industry (MII).

However, the MII has no plans to translate the initial list of electronic information (EI) products into English, nor to establish any formal administrative process for clarifying questions regarding covered products.

Raw materials and components are covered by China Administration Measures, whereas only finished electrical and electronic equipment is covered in EU RoHS.

Furthermore the China RoHS law requires marking standards for all products that are identified in the catalogue.

The marks must be on the products from 1st March 2007.

There are three marks required: a label defines whether or not the product contains any of the six hazardous substances, but is only required if they are present; a table in the product documentation must identify which hazardous substances are contained, and in which component(s) they are present; and packaging materials must be disclosed on the outside package.

A further difference exists in the concept of "put on the market"; in China from 1st March 2007 all products within the supply chain - from the docks to retail shelves - must be compliant.

Manufacturers and retailers worldwide who have to certify their products against the EU RoHS Directive and/or China's new RoHS law can obtain global support from the SGS Group - a leading provider of RoHS analysis and RoHS certification serices.

The SGS Electrical and Electronics Division has 24 laboratories worldwide and 1000 specialists in this field.

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