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RoHS Directive: Sustainability through electronics

  • Immagine del redattore: Federica Mezzi
    Federica Mezzi
  • 4 giorni fa
  • Tempo di lettura: 2 min

What is RoHS really?




The RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) , often called "RoHS 2" and updated by "RoHS 3" (Dir. 2015/863), is not a mere formality, but the cornerstone of consumer electronics safety. Its purpose is to limit the use of substances that are extremely toxic to humans and the environment in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

While initially the focus was on 6 substances, today the legislation limits as many as 10 , including:

  • Lead and Mercury

  • Cadmium

  • Hexavalent Chromium

  • Phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP): plasticizers recently added because they are dangerous for the endocrine system.


Why it is essential today

In modern merchandising, where gadgets are increasingly technological and "smart", RoHS compliance is the only way to guarantee:

  1. Total safety for the user: Prevents prolonged use of an object (such as headphones or a power bank) from exposing the customer to harmful chemicals.

  2. Circular Economy: A product free of toxic substances is much easier and safer to recycle, reducing the impact of electronic waste (e-waste).

  3. Legal Compliance: Without RoHS, there can be no CE marking . Distributing non-compliant gadgets exposes the company to heavy fines and product recall.


Concrete impact on branded gadgets

Not everything with a battery is created equal. For Stegip, quality means that every component of our tech accessories complies with legal limits. This includes:

  • Power bank: Lead-free circuitry and soldering.

  • Headphones and Speakers: Plastic materials free of toxic phthalates.

  • Smart Accessories: Safe and sustainable internal sensors and components.


Choosing a RoHS-compliant gadget transforms a simple corporate gift into a statement of values. The message is clear: "Our brand innovates and communicates, but it does so while protecting your health and the planet."


updated list of the 10 substances (often improperly called "elements") restricted by the RoHS 3 directive (EU Delegated Directive 2015/863) .

The regulation establishes a maximum concentration limit of 0.1% by weight (except for Cadmium, which is much more restrictive: 0.01% ) in homogeneous materials.


The 6 historical ones (RoHS 1 and 2)


  1. Lead (Pb): Historically used in solders, printed circuit boards, and cathode ray tube glass.

  2. Mercury (Hg): Found in some fluorescent lamps and switches.

  3. Cadmium (Cd): (limit 0.01%) used in rechargeable batteries, pigments and metal coatings.

  4. Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI): used for anti-corrosion metal finishes and chrome plating.

  5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): Flame retardants added to the plastics of electronic cases.

  6. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): another category of flame retardants for plastics and cables.


The 4 added Phthalates (RoHS 3)


These were included because they are commonly used as plasticizers to make PVC cables and sheaths flexible, but they are dangerous endocrine disruptors:


7. Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP)

8. Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP)

9. Dibutyphthalate (DBP)

10. Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

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