Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

By Shi Hwang

Chemist Drawing Material from a Plastic Beaker

The following are answers to frequently asked questions regarding rubber products.

Question 1: What is an RoHS? Can WARCO handle an RoHS request?

—Answer: The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive 2002/95/EC was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS directive took effect on July 1, 2006 but is not a law; it is a directive. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacturing of various types of electrical and electronic equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC, which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of vast amounts of toxic e-waste.

All rubber products supplied by WARCO, with exception to specific flame retardant and electrical grades of TPR/TPE and Silicone, are in compliance with European Union Directive 2011/65/EU on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment and do not contain any of the following chemicals:

  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Cadmium
  • Hexavalant Chromium
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
  • Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)
  • Decabromodiphenyl Ether (Deca BDE)
  • Perflourooctane Sulphonates (PFOS)

WARCO can provide a compliance certificate upon request.

If you have any specific questions, email your questions to sales@warco.com or you may contact us directly at (714) 532-3355.