AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount compliant with RoHS2

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 issues regarding restricted substances, maximum allowable concentrations, applicable items, or target categories, please contact us.

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

In other words, RoHS1 is now the "former RoHS Directive," so even if you comply with RoHS1, you may not necessarily meet RoHS2 requirements. The current RoHS Directive is "2011/65/EU (RoHS2)," so compliance with the updated directive requires adapting to the newly added restrictions as well. An overview is provided below.

Restricted Substances and Maximum Allowable Concentrations

The RoHS Directive defines substances subject to usage restrictions, known as restricted substances. These substances were initially defined in the original 2002/95/EC as six substances (or groups) and remained the same in the revised 2011/65/EU. However, four additional substances were included with the publication of (EU) 2015/863 in the Official Journal on June 4, 2015. All four added substances are phthalates. With the addition of these substances, the total number of restricted substances (or groups) increased to ten. (EU) 2015/863 replaced Annex II of 2011/65/EU and specifies the maximum allowable concentrations for each of the ten substances (or groups).

RoHS1 Restricted Substances

Substances Added in RoHS2

Target Products (Items) and Categories

The general scope of target products remains the same as under RoHS1—that is, electrical and electronic equipment used at voltage levels not exceeding 1,000V AC or 1,500V DC. However, RoHS2 adds the condition that the equipment must either depend on electric currents or electromagnetic fields to function properly, or generate, transfer, or measure electromagnetic fields.

RoHS1 covered ten categories, while RoHS2 added an eleventh category: "Other electrical and electronic equipment." Additionally, previously excluded categories 8 and 9 were assigned specific compliance dates, resulting in all eleven defined categories being subject to the directive.

  1. Large household appliances
  2. Small household appliances
  3. IT and telecommunications equipment
  4. Consumer equipment
  5. Lighting equipment
  6. Electrical and electronic tools (excluding 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 start dates for all ten restricted substances, including the four newly added ones, vary depending on the category.

Our Compliance with RoHS2 for AC/DC Power Adapters — Desktop & Wall-Mount

We began preparations in late 2015 for product rollout and started informing our component suppliers about the RoHS2 Directive in writing around August 2016, requiring their compliance. As of January 1, 2017, we have been purchasing components that comply with RoHS2 (Directive 2015/863/EU). Compliance with RoHS2 is a requirement for any new suppliers going forward.

Our company revised our ISO documentation "RoHS Product Management Regulation" to use in supplier audits starting December 25, 2015.

As for SGS reports, beginning January 1, 2017, we added the four new substances to our management alongside the original six substances from RoHS1, ensuring that all ten substances comply with the RoHS2 Directive.

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