Standards Comparison

    RoHS

    Mandatory
    2011

    EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in electrical equipment

    VS

    ISO 27032

    Voluntary
    2012

    International guidelines for Internet cybersecurity.

    Quick Verdict

    RoHS restricts hazardous substances in EEE for EU market access, while ISO 27032 provides voluntary cybersecurity guidelines for Internet threats. Companies adopt RoHS for compliance and sales, ISO 27032 for resilience and collaboration.

    Hazardous Substances

    RoHS

    Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Applies 0.1% limits to homogeneous materials in EEE
    • Open scope: all electrical equipment unless excluded
    • Restricts ten specific hazardous substances including phthalates
    • Time-limited exemptions reviewed via delegated directives
    • Requires EU Declaration of Conformity and technical file
    Cybersecurity

    ISO 27032

    ISO/IEC 27032:2023 Cybersecurity – Guidelines for Internet Security

    Cost
    €€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Multi-stakeholder collaboration for cyberspace security
    • Guidelines for Internet-specific threats and risks
    • Annex A mapping to ISO/IEC 27002 controls
    • Risk assessment and incident management frameworks
    • Emphasis on detection, response, and continuous improvement

    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, or RoHS 2) is an EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It aims to protect health and environment by limiting risks in EEE waste management, complementing WEEE Directive. Scope is open: all EEE unless excluded. Key approach: homogeneous material concentration limits (0.1% for most substances, 0.01% for cadmium).

    Key Components

    • Ten restricted substances: Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP.
    • Annexes III/IV for time-limited exemptions.
    • Compliance via technical documentation per EN IEC 63000.
    • No certification; self-declared EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and CE marking where applicable.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandatory for EU market access; non-compliance risks fines, recalls. Drives supply chain governance, substitution innovation, recyclability. Enhances ESG reputation, level playing field.

    Implementation Overview

    Risk-based: scope analysis, BoM review, supplier declarations, tiered testing (**IEC 62321XRF screening, ICP-MS/GC-MS confirmation), technical files (10-year retention). Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE; scales with portfolio complexity. Member State enforcement.

    ISO 27032 Details

    What It Is

    ISO/IEC 27032:2023, titled Cybersecurity – Guidelines for Internet Security, is an international guidance standard (not certifiable) from ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 27. It provides collaborative, stakeholder-driven guidelines for managing Internet security risks within cyberspace, connecting information security, network security, Internet security, and CIIP. Its risk-based approach emphasizes multi-stakeholder ecosystems over siloed controls.

    Key Components

    • Covers threats, vulnerabilities, and controls mapped to ISO/IEC 27002 in Annex A.
    • Focuses on ~14 thematic domains (2012 edition), refined for Internet issues like phishing, DDoS, and supply-chain risks.
    • Core principles: collaboration, risk assessment, incident management, awareness.
    • Non-certifiable; integrates into ISO 27001 ISMS via Statement of Applicability.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Mitigates regulatory risks (e.g., NIS2, GDPR fines), operational disruptions, reputational damage.
    • Builds resilience, efficiency, trust; enables market access, insurance savings.
    • Differentiates in competitive landscapes via ecosystem collaboration.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: scoping, risk assessment, controls, monitoring (PDCA cycle).
    • Applies to all sizes/industries with online presence; global scope.
    • No formal certification; self-assess, audit integration with existing frameworks.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    RoHS
    Hazardous substances in EEE materials
    ISO 27032
    Cybersecurity guidelines for Internet security

    Industry

    RoHS
    EEE manufacturers, electronics globally
    ISO 27032
    All organizations using Internet worldwide

    Nature

    RoHS
    Mandatory EU directive, market access
    ISO 27032
    Voluntary non-certifiable guidelines

    Testing

    RoHS
    Material analysis (XRF, IEC 62321)
    ISO 27032
    Risk assessments, audits, no mandated tests

    Penalties

    RoHS
    Fines, recalls by Member States
    ISO 27032
    No direct penalties, reputational risks

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about RoHS and ISO 27032

    RoHS FAQ

    ISO 27032 FAQ

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