RoHS
EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in electrical equipment
APRA CPS 234
Australian prudential standard for information security resilience
Quick Verdict
RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electronics for EU market access, while APRA CPS 234 mandates information security capabilities for Australian financial entities. Companies adopt RoHS for global compliance and CPS 234 to meet prudential requirements and ensure resilience.
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) on hazardous substances in EEE
Key Features
- Restricts 10 substances at 0.1% homogeneous material threshold
- Open scope covers all EEE unless explicitly excluded
- Time-limited exemptions managed via delegated directives
- Requires technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity
- Tiered verification using IEC 62321 screening and testing
APRA CPS 234
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 Information Security
Key Features
- Board ultimate responsibility for information security
- Covers third-party managed information assets
- Systematic independent testing and assurance required
- 72-hour notification for material incidents to APRA
- Asset classification by criticality and sensitivity
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
RoHS Details
What It Is
RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU, recast as RoHS 2) is an EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). Its primary purpose is protecting health and environment by limiting risks in EEE waste management, improving recyclability alongside WEEE Directive. Scope is open: all EEE unless excluded. Key approach is homogeneous material thresholds with risk-based compliance.
Key Components
- 10 restricted substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) at 0.1% w/w (Cd at 0.01%).
- Annexes III/IV for time-limited exemptions.
- Technical documentation per EN IEC 63000 and EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC).
- Compliance via supplier declarations, testing (IEC 62321), no mandatory certification but market surveillance.
Why Organizations Use It
Ensures EU market access, avoids fines/recalls. Drives supply chain governance, substitution innovation, ESG reporting. Mitigates decentralized enforcement risks across Member States. Builds stakeholder trust via safer recyclability.
Implementation Overview
Phased: scope analysis, BoM review, supplier controls, tiered testing, technical files. Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE globally targeting EU. High complexity for supply chains; 6-18 months typical, ongoing monitoring required.
APRA CPS 234 Details
What It Is
APRA Prudential Standard CPS 234 (Information Security) is a binding prudential regulation issued by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, effective 1 July 2019. It mandates APRA-regulated entities to maintain information security capabilities commensurate with threats to ensure confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information assets, including those managed by third parties. The approach is risk-based, requiring proportionate governance, controls, testing, and notification.
Key Components
- **Governance and accountabilityBoard ultimate responsibility, defined roles.
- **Risk managementAsset classification by criticality/sensitivity, policy framework.
- **Controls and testingCommensurate protections, systematic independent testing, internal audit assurance.
- **Incident responseDetection mechanisms, response plans, 72-hour APRA notification for material incidents. Built on CIA triad principles; no fixed control count, focuses on outcomes with group-wide application.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for APRA entities (banks, insurers, super funds); reduces cyber incident risks, ensures operational resilience, builds stakeholder trust, avoids penalties. Provides competitive edge via robust third-party oversight and evidence-based assurance.
Implementation Overview
Phased: gap analysis, governance design, asset register, controls, testing, monitoring. Applies to all sizes in APRA sectors (Australia-focused); requires ongoing assurance, no formal certification but APRA supervision and notifications.
Key Differences
| Aspect | RoHS | APRA CPS 234 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Hazardous substances in EEE materials | Information security for financial entities |
| Industry | Electronics manufacturing, global | Australian financial services only |
| Nature | Mandatory EU product regulation | Mandatory prudential standard |
| Testing | Material analysis (XRF, IEC 62321) | Systematic security control testing |
| Penalties | Decentralized fines, product recalls | Supervisory actions, remediation orders |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RoHS and APRA CPS 234
RoHS FAQ
APRA CPS 234 FAQ
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