Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

EU and related-market rules restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, including lead, cadmium, mercury and certain flame retardants and phthalates.

Foresight tracks Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) developments and surfaces the alerts most likely to matter before they turn into missed deadlines, recalls, or escalation work.

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15 May 2026, 16:30

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Latest Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) developments

Source-backed regulatory and guidance signals tracked by Foresight, with the newest developments first.

Croatia Amends RoHS Lead Exemptions and Bans Misuse of Nitrous Oxide

In May 2026 Croatia published NN 49/2026, amending its RoHS ordinance to align lead exemptions with new EU deadlines and introducing a national order banning misuse of nitrous oxide in products, with application from June–July 2026. EEE manufacturers and importers must plan for tighter lead-use sunset dates while distributors and users of N₂O-containing products face stronger controls and enforcement risk around uses outside manufacturers’ intended purposes.

narodne-novine.nn.hrCroatiaCroatia

Sweden KEMI Reports One Third of Inspected Home Electronics Contain Banned Substances

In May 2026 Sweden’s Chemicals Agency published enforcement results showing that about 30 percent of 209 low-cost home electronics products inspected in 2025 contained banned substances such as lead, short-chain chlorinated paraffins and the phthalates DEHP and DBP. The findings highlight persistent compliance gaps under RoHS, REACH and POPs, signalling that importers and distributors must strengthen supplier controls, testing and documentation rather than relying on CE marking to avoid enforcement risk.

kemi.seSwedenSweden

EU Commission Confirms No Review of Expired Mercury Lamp Phase-Out Dates

In May 2026 the European Commission confirmed, in an answer to a European Parliament question, that it will not revisit the expired phase-out dates for importing, exporting and manufacturing mercury-containing general lighting lamps under the RoHS Directive and the revised EU Mercury Regulation. This closes the door to deadline extensions and reinforces that lighting and electronics manufacturers must complete phase-out and redesign plans based on the existing RoHS exemption expiries and the linked mercury product bans.

europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

Ireland Adopts RoHS Amendment Regulations 2026 (SI 110/2026) Implementing New EU Lead Exemptions

In March 2026 Ireland adopted Statutory Instrument 110/2026 amending its RoHS regulations to implement new EU lead exemptions for certain electrical and electronic equipment applications. This update aligns Irish RoHS law with recent EU annex changes, so compliance teams must reassess affected product lines and documentation to manage lead-use risks while taking advantage of the revised exemptions.

irishstatutebook.ieIrelandIrelandEuropean UnionEuropean Union

Brazil MDIC Urges Non-Approval of CONAMA Draft RoHS Resolution in Light of Law No. 15.022/2024

In April 2026, Brazil’s industry ministry formally asked the national environment council (CONAMA) not to approve its draft RoHS-style resolution and instead handle hazardous-substance restrictions in electronics through the new chemicals framework created by Law No. 15.022/2024. This makes near-term adoption of Brazil RoHS unlikely and shifts future obligations and timing to how and when the government implements Law No. 15.022/2024, particularly the creation and operation of the Chemical Substances Deliberative Committee.

conama.mma.gov.brBrazilBrazil

EU Parliament First-Reading Resolution Transferring RoHS Scientific and Technical Tasks to ECHA

In October 2025 the European Parliament adopted its first‑reading resolution to amend the RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU so that scientific and technical tasks are transferred to the European Chemicals Agency, with the text now published in the Official Journal. This institutional shift consolidates RoHS technical assessments within ECHA, signalling more harmonised chemicals decision-making for electrical and electronic equipment and likely process changes for manufacturers engaging with EU restriction procedures.

eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

Finland Adopts Decree 148/2026 Updating RoHS Decree 419/2013 Annex I

Finland has adopted Decree 148/2026 updating Annex I of its RoHS Decree 419/2013, aligning national exemptions for lead, cadmium and mercury in electrical and electronic equipment with new EU RoHS delegated directives, with the changes taking effect from 1 July 2026. EEE manufacturers and importers placing products on the Finnish market should reassess any use of RoHS exemptions in lamps and specialised equipment, and adjust designs, component sourcing and documentation ahead of the 2026 entry-into-force to avoid reliance on lapsed derogations.

eur-lex.europa.euFinlandFinland

Bulgaria Updates RoHS Lead Exemptions and Deadlines (Order RD-709-1)

In March 2026 Bulgaria’s environment ministry adopted Order RD-709-1 to align its RoHS implementation with three new EU delegated directives, extending and refining key lead exemptions for electrical and electronic equipment and setting revised expiry dates between late 2026 and the end of 2027. EEE and component manufacturers must reassess their use of lead in steels, aluminium and copper alloys, high-temperature solders, and glass/ceramic parts and plan product redesigns or substitution ahead of the staged national phase-out dates starting in 2026.

dv.parliament.bgBulgariaBulgaria

Ukraine Proposes Amendments to RoHS-Like EEE Technical Regulation (G/TBT/N/UKR/377)

Ukraine has notified a draft resolution to amend its RoHS-like technical regulation for electrical and electronic equipment, extending certain exemption periods and adding new exemptions aligned with EU Directive 2011/65/EU, with comments due by 6 June 2026. This signals ongoing convergence with EU RoHS, so EEE manufacturers and suppliers into Ukraine should reassess which products may benefit from extended or new exemptions and plan engagement ahead of adoption expected around August 2026.

members.wto.orgUkraineUkraine

Luxembourg Publishes Notice on EU RoHS Lead Exemptions Directive 2025/2364

Luxembourg has formally adopted updated EU RoHS lead-in-alloy exemptions for steel, aluminium, and copper, aligning with the 2026-2027 phase-out schedule. Manufacturers must audit material specifications and accelerate substitution plans to mitigate market access risks as these critical exemptions expire.

eur-lex.europa.euLuxembourgLuxembourg

EU Commission Clarifies RoHS Exemptions Procedure and Timeframes

The European Commission has formalized RoHS exemption renewal procedures, mandating an 18-month lead time for applications and clarifying the 24-month decision cycle. Businesses must integrate these rigid administrative timelines into product lifecycle planning to mitigate the risk of sudden market access loss or forced substitution.

environment.ec.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Drafts Opinion Amending Product Directives (Including RoHS) on Digitalisation and Common Specifications

The European Parliament is advancing amendments to digitalize compliance documentation and harmonize technical specifications across thirteen major product directives including RoHS and ATEX. This transition toward digital conformity data will require manufacturers to modernize product information systems and prepare for standardized digital labeling across multiple regulatory frameworks.

eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

Norway Consults on Extending RoHS Lead Exemptions in Product Regulations Chapter 2a

Norway is aligning national product regulations with EU RoHS updates to restructure and extend lead exemptions for alloys, solders, and ceramics through 2027. Companies must transition to more granular sub-exemptions and monitor revised expiry dates to maintain compliance and market access for electronic equipment.

miljodirektoratet.noNorwayNorway

Brazil Moves RoHS-Style Draft Resolution for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Into Final CONAMA Deliberations

Brazil is finalizing a RoHS-style resolution to restrict ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, with adoption expected following recent plenary deliberations. Manufacturers must prepare for EU-aligned substance limits, mandatory technical dossiers, and a new national registry, requiring immediate supply chain verification and compliance documentation.

gov.brBrazilBrazil

IEC 62474 Updates DSL to Version D32.00 and Aligns EU RoHS Annex III Exemptions

The IEC 62474 standard was updated in March 2026 to include new REACH SVHCs and PFHxA restrictions while aligning with revised EU RoHS lead exemptions. Compliance teams should update material declaration templates and supplier reporting requirements to ensure product documentation remains valid under evolving European chemical regulations.

std.iec.chEuropean UnionEuropean Union

EU Commission Proposes Delegated Regulation Amending Taxonomy Environmental Delegated Act (EU) 2023/2486

The European Commission has proposed a draft regulation to simplify EU Taxonomy technical screening criteria, targeting a January 2027 application. By aligning 'Do No Significant Harm' (DNSH) requirements with existing chemical and sectoral laws, the proposal aims to reduce the administrative burden for reporting entities while clarifying compliance pathways for sustainable activities.

eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

EU Council 4-Column Table On Proposal To Digitalise Product Directives And Align Common Specifications

EU authorities are advancing a major horizontal update to digitalize conformity documentation and technical specifications across thirteen core product directives including RoHS and ATEX. This transition to electronic information requirements necessitates a strategic overhaul of digital labeling systems and technical documentation management to ensure future market access.

eur-lex.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

EU Council Circulates Four‑Column Table on Proposal for Digitalisation and Common Specifications Across 13 Product Directives

The EU is progressing a horizontal proposal to digitalize conformity documentation and introduce Commission-led technical specifications across 13 major product directives including RoHS and the Low Voltage Directive. Manufacturers must prepare for a transition to digital compliance infrastructure and a shift toward centralized technical standards that will redefine conformity assessment workflows across the single market.

data.consilium.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

Uzbekistan Extends Lead-In For Hazardous Substances Technical Regulation For Electrotechnical And Radio-Electronic Products To 18 Months

Uzbekistan has extended the implementation timeline for its RoHS-style technical regulation on electrical and electronic products from six to 18 months. Companies should utilize this additional lead time to finalize product redesigns and conformity assessment procedures before the February 2027 enforcement deadline.

lex.uzUzbekistanUzbekistan

ECHA Updates EUCLEF With New Construction Products Regulation Lists And Profile

ECHA has integrated the new Construction Products Regulation and updated ten other major regulatory frameworks within the EU Chemicals Legislation Finder. This update centralizes cross-sectoral substance restrictions and safety documentation requirements, enabling more efficient compliance screening and risk assessment for manufacturers.

echa.europa.euEuropean UnionEuropean Union

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How to read Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulatory activity

Definition

What is Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)?

EU and related-market rules restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, including lead, cadmium, mercury and certain flame retardants and phthalates.

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Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) developments can change product scope, supplier expectations, market access, reporting duties, and risk ownership. Foresight tracks the signals early so teams can respond before obligations become urgent.

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