RoHS
EU directive restricting hazardous substances in EEE
FedRAMP
U.S. program standardizing federal cloud security authorizations
Quick Verdict
RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electronics for EU market access, while FedRAMP authorizes secure cloud services for US federal agencies. Companies adopt RoHS for legal compliance and sales, FedRAMP for government contracts and credibility.
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)
Key Features
- Homogeneous material thresholds for 10 restricted substances
- Open scope applying to all EEE unless excluded
- Time-limited exemptions via delegated directives
- Technical documentation and EU Declaration of Conformity
- Tiered verification using IEC 62321 test methods
FedRAMP
Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program
Key Features
- Reusable authorizations across federal agencies
- NIST SP 800-53 baselines at Low/Moderate/High levels
- Independent 3PAO security assessments required
- Continuous monitoring with monthly/annual reporting
- FedRAMP Marketplace for transparency and procurement
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 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the EEA market. It aims to protect health and environment by limiting risks from EEE waste management, complementing the WEEE Directive. Scope is open: all EEE unless excluded, with restrictions at homogeneous material level using maximum concentration values (MCVs) of 0.1% (Cd: 0.01%).
Key Components
- 10 restricted substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) in Annex II.
- **Annex III/IV exemptionstime-limited, application-specific allowances renewed via delegated acts.
- **Compliance modelrisk-based technical documentation per EN IEC 63000, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), CE marking.
- **Verificationtiered testing per IEC 62321 series (XRF screening, ICP-MS/GC-MS confirmation).
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for EU market access; prevents fines, recalls, bans. Drives supply chain governance, substitution innovation, recyclability. Enhances ESG reputation, level playing field, global compliance baseline.
Implementation Overview
Phased: scope analysis, BoM review, supplier declarations, testing, technical files (10-year retention). Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE; high complexity for complex portfolios. No central certification; market surveillance by Member States.
FedRAMP Details
What It Is
FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) is a U.S. government-wide framework standardizing security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud services used by federal agencies. Its primary purpose is to enable secure, reusable cloud adoption via NIST SP 800-53-derived controls tailored to FIPS 199 impact levels (Low, Moderate, High).
Key Components
- Baselines with ~156 (Low), ~323 (Moderate), ~410 (High) controls, plus LI-SaaS for low-risk SaaS.
- Core artifacts: SSP, SAR, POA&M; 3PAO independent assessments.
- Built on NIST standards; continuous monitoring via automation and reporting.
- Compliance model: Agency/Program Authorizations listed in FedRAMP Marketplace.
Why Organizations Use It
- Unlocks federal contracts; required for agencies procuring cloud.
- Reduces duplication via reusable assessments; enhances security posture.
- Builds trust, differentiates in market; mitigates legal risks.
Implementation Overview
- Gap analysis, documentation, 3PAO assessment, remediation (10-19 months typical).
- Applies to CSPs targeting federal market; high costs ($150k-$2M+).
- Involves audits, ongoing ConMon; suits enterprises with cloud offerings.
Key Differences
| Aspect | RoHS | FedRAMP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Hazardous substances in EEE materials | Cloud security assessment and monitoring |
| Industry | Electronics manufacturers, global | Cloud providers serving US federal agencies |
| Nature | Mandatory EU product regulation | Standardized US government authorization |
| Testing | XRF screening, lab analysis of materials | 3PAO assessments of NIST controls |
| Penalties | Decentralized fines, product recalls | Revocation of authorization, contract loss |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RoHS and FedRAMP
RoHS FAQ
FedRAMP FAQ
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