Chinese legislation marks new chapter in RoHS

The RoHS requirements in China are stricter and are based on a principle that differs from the self-declaration concept in the European Union. The introduction of RoHS legislation in China on 1st March 2007 will mark a new chapter in the RoHS age. There are several differences between the European and the Chinese approach to this matter.

The first major difference between the European and Chinese approach to RoHS is the special marking that Chinese products will have to carry from the day the laws come into force.

In the European Union products can be introduced to the market without special markings and conformity verifications even after July 2006.

Another difference that will be implemented at a later date is the testing in government accredited laboratories of all E and E products.

The Chinese Ministry of the Information Industry (MII) will supervise the implementation of RoHS, which applies both to all products manufactured in China for Chinese or foreign markets and to imported products.

The items included in the 'electronics information products' (EIP) category are subject to this law, as are all other products listed by the Chinese Compulsory Product Certification Scheme (CCC).

The first step of RoHS implementation will be the marking of all E and E products and supplying of all the necessary information by manufacturers and importers.

The second step will be the testing of all E and E products.

This stage is still under debate and it will depend on the final definition of the Chinese RoHS.

Also, the list of EIP products to which RoHS applies is yet to be finalised.

CCC will play a major role in keeping to the Chinese RoHS implementation calendar.

However considering all these special requirements there could be substantial delays in the implementation of RoHS in China.

SGS E and E is a leader in RoHS testing, with 24 accredited RoHS labs worldwide and 1000 specialists in RoHS certification.