RoHS2 compliance of AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount

This page explains the RoHS directive for AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount and switching power supplies. Currently, RoHS 2 is in effect. If you have any questions regarding restricted substances, maximum allowable concentrations, applicable items, or categories, please .

The RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) was promulgated in the Official Journal of the EU as the revised RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU on July 1, 2011. 2002/95/EC is referred to as RoHS1, and 2011/65/EU is called RoHS2. RoHS2 replaced RoHS1 in the national laws of EU member states by January 3, 2013, and currently, RoHS2 is in effect.

In other words, RoHS1 became the "former RoHS Directive," so even if a product complies with RoHS1, it may not necessarily comply with RoHS2. The current RoHS Directive is "2011/65/EU (RoHS2)," therefore to comply with the RoHS Directive, it is required to conform to the newly added regulatory content. The overview is as follows.

Restricted Substances and Maximum Allowable Concentration

The RoHS Directive specifies restricted substances, so-called banned substances. These banned substances were designated as 6 substances (groups) both in the original RoHS Directive, 2002/95/EC, and the revised RoHS Directive, 2011/65/EU. Later, 4 substances were added with the promulgation of (EU) 2015/863 in the Official Journal on June 4, 2015. The 4 newly added substances are all phthalates. With the addition of these 4 substances, the total number of banned substances (groups) became 10. (EU) 2015/863 replaces Annex II of 2011/65/EU and defines the 10 substances (groups) along with their maximum allowable concentrations.

RoHS1 Banned Substances

Substances Added to RoHS1 under RoHS2

Applicable Products (Items) and Categories

The general standard for applicable products remains the same as in RoHS1: electrical and electronic equipment operating within a voltage range not exceeding 1,000V AC and 1,500V DC. However, an added condition stipulates that the equipment must either depend on electric currents or electromagnetic fields to function properly, or be used for generating, transferring, or measuring electromagnetic fields.

Although RoHS1 targeted 10 categories, RoHS2 introduced an 11th category titled "Other electrical and electronic equipment." Moreover, categories 8 and 9, which were excluded under RoHS1, also received defined compliance dates, meaning all 11 categories now fall under the regulation.

  1. Large household appliances
  2. Small household appliances
  3. IT and telecommunications equipment
  4. Consumer equipment
  5. Lighting equipment
  6. Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools)
  7. Toys, leisure, and sports equipment
  8. Medical devices
  9. Monitoring and control instruments
  10. Automatic dispensers
  11. Other electrical and electronic equipment not covered by any of the above categories

Regulation Start Dates

The regulation of all 10 substances, including the 4 newly added ones, begins based on category.

Our Company’s AC Adapter Compliance

Our company prepared for rollout by the end of 2015 and began sequentially informing our component suppliers about the RoHS2 Directive in writing starting around August 2016, requesting compliance. From January 1, 2017, we have been purchasing components that comply with RoHS2 (Directive 2015/863/EU). Future suppliers must also meet RoHS2 compliance requirements as a precondition for adoption.

We also revised our ISO documentation, “RoHS Product Control Regulations,” and began using it as a reference for factory audits starting on December 25, 2015.

Regarding SGS reports, starting January 1, 2017, we added the above 4 substances to the same management as the 6 RoHS1 substances, ensuring that all 10 substances comply with the RoHS2 Directive.

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