EPA
U.S. federal standards for air, water, waste protection
RoHS
EU directive restricting hazardous substances in EEE
Quick Verdict
EPA enforces broad US environmental standards on emissions and waste across industries, while RoHS mandates hazardous substance limits in EU EEE. Companies adopt EPA for legal compliance and operations; RoHS for EU market access and supply chain control.
EPA
EPA Standards in Title 40 CFR
Key Features
- Multi-layered architecture: statutes, regulations, permits, enforcement
- Technology-based and health-protective performance standards
- Evidence-driven compliance through monitoring and data governance
- Federal-state implementation with site-specific obligations
- Dynamic rulemaking via Federal Register and Regulations.gov
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)
Key Features
- Restricts 10 substances at 0.1% in homogeneous materials
- Applies to all EEE categories unless exempted
- Requires technical file and Declaration of Conformity
- Time-limited exemptions via delegated directives
- Risk-based testing with XRF and lab confirmation
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
EPA Details
What It Is
EPA Standards refer to the family of legally binding regulatory requirements codified primarily in Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR), implementing major U.S. environmental statutes like the Clean Air Act (CAA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). This regulatory framework establishes national baselines for environmental protection across air, water, and waste media, using a systems approach combining technology-based controls, health-protective criteria, permitting, and enforcement.
Key Components
- **Statutory foundationsCAA (NAAQS, MACT), CWA (effluent guidelines, NPDES), RCRA (TSDF standards, Subparts AA/BB/CC).
- Numeric limits, thresholds, monitoring protocols (e.g., 40 CFR Part 136 methods).
- Permitting mechanisms (Title V, NPDES) translating standards into site-specific obligations.
- Enforcement pathways with civil penalties, SEPs, and criminal liability for knowing violations.
Why Organizations Use It
Compliance is mandatory for regulated entities to avoid penalties, operational disruptions, and liabilities. It drives risk management, ensures license-to-operate, supports ESG goals, and prevents "race to the bottom" via uniform baselines.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: regulatory gap analysis, EMS integration, monitoring systems deployment, training. Applies to industries like manufacturing, energy; requires ongoing audits, e-reporting (ECHO, ICIS-NPDES). No central certification but facility-specific permits and inspections.
RoHS Details
What It Is
RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), officially Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2), is an EU regulation restricting 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Its primary purpose is reducing health and environmental risks from EEE waste while improving recyclability. It uses a homogeneous material-based restriction approach with maximum concentration values and exemptions.
Key Components
- Restricts 10 substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, 4 phthalates) at 0.1% (Cd 0.01%) in homogeneous materials
- Covers 11 EEE categories unless excluded
- Requires technical file, Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE marking
- Supported by IEC 63000 (documentary) and IEC 62321 (testing)
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for EU market access, avoiding fines, recalls, bans
- Enhances supply chain transparency, ESG reporting, innovation
- Reduces risks, costs; enables global compliance
Implementation Overview
- Phased: governance, gap analysis, design/procurement controls, testing, documentation, surveillance
- For EEE manufacturers/importers; scales by portfolio size
- Self-assessed compliance with market surveillance audits (181 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | EPA | RoHS |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Air, water, waste emissions/standards | Hazardous substances in EEE materials |
| Industry | All industrial sectors, US-wide | EEE manufacturers, EU market focus |
| Nature | Mandatory US federal regulations | Mandatory EU product directive |
| Testing | Emissions/discharge monitoring, CEMS | XRF screening, lab analysis IEC 62321 |
| Penalties | Fines up to millions, shutdowns | Market bans, fines by Member States |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about EPA and RoHS
EPA FAQ
RoHS FAQ
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