✔ RoHS Guide

RoHS 10 Restricted Substances

RoHS specifies maximum levels by weight for the following 10 restricted materials. The first six applied to the original RoHS while the last four were added under RoHS 3. Four of the substances also have Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) numbers. CAS is a global registry of 150 million chemical substances.

Cadmium (Cd): < 100 ppm (0.01%)
Cadmium is used in electronic equipment, car batteries, metal coatings, and pigments. Known human carcinogen that affects multiple organ systems. CAS number = 7440-43-9.

Lead (Pb): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Lead is used in solder, lead-acid batteries, electronic components, cable sheathing, x-ray shielding, and in the glass of cathode-ray tubes. Known human carcinogen that affects the nervous and renal systems. CAS number = 7439-92-1.

NOTE: Lead above 0.1% remains exempted in specific uses - as an alloying element in steel, aluminum and copper, in high-melting-temperature solders, and in certain glass and ceramics - with expiry dates now running from December 2026 to December 2027. For more information, see RoHS Annex III Lead Exemptions.

Mercury (Hg): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Mercury is used in batteries, switches, and thermostats, and fluorescent lamps. Known human carcinogen that affects multiple organ systems. CAS number = 7439-97-6.

Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Chromium VI is used in chrome plating, dyes, and pigments. While some forms of chromium are non-toxic, chromium VI can produce toxic effects in multiple organ systems. CAS number = 18540-29-9.

Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Also known as congeners, PBBs are flame retardants found in computer monitor and TV plastic enclosures. They have been found in indoor dust and air through evaporation. Known human carcinogen that affects the endocrine system.

Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): < 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Similar to PBBs - added to plastic enclosures to make them difficult to burn. Known human carcinogen that affects the endocrine system.

Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) (RoHS 3)
DEHPs are used to soften PVC and vinyl insulation on electrical wires and in medical tubing. Known human carcinogen that affects the immune and reproductive systems.

Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) (RoHS 3)
These are used to soften PVC and vinyl insulation on electrical wires.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) (RoHS 3)
DBPs are part of the di-n-phtalate family used to soften PVC and vinyl insulation on electrical wires.

Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): < 1000 ppm (0.1%) (RoHS 3)
These are also used to soften PVC and vinyl insulation on electrical wires.