Standards Comparison

    RoHS

    Mandatory
    2011

    EU directive restricting hazardous substances in electrical equipment

    VS

    23 NYCRR 500

    Mandatory
    2017

    NY regulation for financial services cybersecurity requirements.

    Quick Verdict

    RoHS restricts hazardous substances in EEE for EU market access, ensuring safe recycling. 23 NYCRR 500 mandates cybersecurity programs for NY financial entities, protecting NPI. Companies adopt RoHS for product compliance, Part 500 to avoid fines and ensure resilience.

    Hazardous Substances

    RoHS

    Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • Restricts ten hazardous substances at 0.1% in homogeneous materials
    • Applies open-scope to all EEE unless explicitly excluded
    • Mandates technical documentation and EU Declaration of Conformity
    • Provides time-limited exemptions reviewed by delegated acts
    • Enforces compliance via risk-based testing and supplier declarations
    Financial Services

    23 NYCRR 500

    23 NYCRR Part 500 Cybersecurity Regulation

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    18-24 months

    Key Features

    • Annual CEO/CISO dual-signature compliance certification
    • 72-hour notification for material cybersecurity incidents
    • Phishing-resistant MFA for privileged and remote access
    • Comprehensive TPSP risk assessment and contractual controls
    • Annual penetration testing and vulnerability management

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    RoHS Details

    What It Is

    Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) is an EU regulation restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Its primary purpose is to protect human health and the environment by minimizing risks from EEE waste management and enhancing recyclability. The scope adopts an open approach covering all EEE unless explicitly excluded, with restrictions applied at the homogeneous material level using maximum concentration values (MCVs).

    Key Components

    • Ten restricted substances: Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP.
    • Thresholds: 0.1% w/w for most, 0.01% for Cd in homogeneous materials.
    • Annex III/IV exemptions, time-limited and reviewed via delegated acts.
    • Compliance model based on self-declaration with technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), integrated with CE marking.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mandatory for EU/EEA market access for EEE manufacturers, importers, distributors.
    • Mitigates enforcement risks like fines, recalls; ensures supply chain integrity.
    • Supports WEEE recyclability, ESG goals, level playing field.
    • Builds stakeholder trust, reduces liability.

    Implementation Overview

    Risk-based: product scoping, BoM analysis, supplier declarations, tiered testing (IEC 62321), technical file assembly. Applies to all EEE sizes/industries; retention 10 years for audits. No mandatory certification, but market surveillance by Member States.

    23 NYCRR 500 Details

    What It Is

    23 NYCRR Part 500 is the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS) Cybersecurity Regulation, a mandatory state-level framework for financial services entities. It establishes minimum risk-based cybersecurity requirements to protect nonpublic information (NPI) and information systems. The core approach is risk-based, mandating tailored programs informed by periodic risk assessments.

    Key Components

    • Governance: Qualified CISO appointment, board oversight, annual CEO/CISO dual certification.
    • Technical controls: Phishing-resistant MFA, encryption, access privileges, asset inventories.
    • 14 core requirements spanning risk assessment, TPSP oversight, penetration testing, incident response.
    • Compliance model: Annual April 15 filing with 5-year evidence retention; Class A entities require enhanced audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Legal mandate for NY-licensed financial entities (banks, insurers, etc.).
    • Mitigates multimillion-dollar fines (e.g., $30M Robinhood).
    • Enhances cyber resilience, TPSP contracts, insurance premiums.
    • Builds stakeholder trust via demonstrable governance.

    Implementation Overview

    Phased roadmap: Gap analysis, risk assessment, MFA/encryption rollout, evidence repository. Targets Covered Entities in NY financial sector; scalable by size (Class A enhanced). No universal certification; focuses on internal audits, DFS examinations. (178 words)

    Key Differences

    Scope

    RoHS
    Hazardous substances in EEE materials
    23 NYCRR 500
    Cybersecurity program for information systems

    Industry

    RoHS
    Electrical/electronic equipment manufacturers, EEA-wide
    23 NYCRR 500
    NY financial services licensees, NY-specific

    Nature

    RoHS
    Mandatory EU product restriction directive
    23 NYCRR 500
    Mandatory NY state cybersecurity regulation

    Testing

    RoHS
    XRF screening, IEC 62321 lab analysis
    23 NYCRR 500
    Annual pen testing, vulnerability assessments

    Penalties

    RoHS
    Decentralized MS fines, product recalls
    23 NYCRR 500
    Multi-million fines, consent orders

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about RoHS and 23 NYCRR 500

    RoHS FAQ

    23 NYCRR 500 FAQ

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