Phthalates will be restricted by EU countries starting in July. This directive will affect various plastic electronics such as connectors.

 

 

 

 

The European Union's Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) environmental compliance directive is expanding. In 2019, four new substances were added to the European list of banned electronic materials: phthalic acid diphthalate (DEHP), butyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate. (DBP) and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP). These phthalates limit the total number of substances subject to RoHS by most electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to 10, with an effective date of July 22, 2019.

Phthalates are used to increase the flexibility and longevity of plastics. However, during the manufacturing process, the phthalates can be volatilized into the environment and leached from the products they use. As endocrine disruptors, it has been found to have an impact on human health, including prenatal and child development. These four imminently limited phthalates have been technically limited since 2015, although the grace period allows manufacturers and designers to innovate and specify alternative materials. The continuous grace period applies only to medical equipment, monitoring equipment and industrial monitoring equipment. The grace period will expire on July 22, 2021, so companies working in the medical market should now seek alternative solutions.

 

 

 

 

We talked to the ECIA Global Industry Practice Committee to understand the impact of RoHS on the latest products.

The electronics industry already knows that these changes will come, does this mean that most companies are ready?

Yes, many of our suppliers have changed to remove these phthalates.

What steps can they take now before the deadline?

If necessary, check the current inventory and negotiate an alternative. There is also a need to determine the RoHS compliance of the newly purchased materials.

What types of components are most affected by the latest changes in RoHS?

Any parts with plastic will be affected. For example, connector housings and wire coatings.

Which materials are being used as replacements for substances that are about to become non-compliant?

Common alternatives include Hexamoll DINCH (DINCH), tributyl citrate (ATBC), dioctyl terephthalate (DOTP), 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diiso Butyric acid (TXIB), trioctyl ester (TOTM), and di(2-ethylhexyl) hexanoate (DEHA).

What are the components that have been produced but are not RoHS compliant?

These components and the electronic products including them will not be allowed to be exported to the EU.

Why is the grace period for medical applications longer?

The EU directive states that medical device innovation should be considered for a longer period of time.

Which products or apps are exempt?

Prior to July 22, 2021, products such as medical and industrial monitoring instruments were not subject to this restriction.

Can you expect other changes in RoHS?

Article 24(2) of 2011/65/EU states that before July 22, 2021, the current RoHS Directive must be thoroughly reviewed and the current RoHS Directive revised if necessary. If this happens, it will be called ROHS3.