RoHS
EU directive restricting hazardous substances in EEE
ISO 31000
International guidelines for enterprise risk management
Quick Verdict
RoHS mandates hazardous substance limits in EEE for EU market access, while ISO 31000 provides voluntary risk management guidelines for all organizations. Companies adopt RoHS for compliance and sales; ISO 31000 for better decisions and resilience.
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) recast
ISO 31000
ISO 31000:2018 Risk management — Guidelines
Key Features
- Eight principles guiding effective risk management
- Leadership commitment and governance integration
- Iterative process for risk assessment and treatment
- Customized to organizational context and risks
- Non-certifiable flexible guidelines for all sectors
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). It aims to protect health and environment by limiting risks in waste management, complementing WEEE Directive. Scope covers all EEE unless excluded, using homogeneous material approach with 0.1% thresholds (0.01% for cadmium).
Key Components
- Ten restricted substances: Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP.
- Annexes III/IV for time-limited exemptions.
- IEC 63000 for technical documentation; IEC 62321 for testing.
- Compliance via EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC) and technical files, no pre-certification.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for EU market access; prevents 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 (XRF screening, ICP-MS/GC-MS confirmation), technical files (10-year retention). Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE; high complexity for complex supply chains; Member State enforcement.
ISO 31000 Details
What It Is
ISO 31000:2018, Risk management — Guidelines is an international standard providing non-certifiable guidelines for systematic risk management. Its primary purpose is to help organizations of any size or sector manage uncertainty affecting objectives, using a principles-based, iterative approach focused on creating and protecting value.
Key Components
- **Three pillars8 principles (e.g., integrated, customized, dynamic), framework (leadership, integration, design, implementation, evaluation, improvement), and process (communication, scope/context/criteria, assessment, treatment, monitoring/review, recording/reporting).
- No fixed controls; flexible, PDCA-aligned model.
- Non-certifiable; relies on internal governance and assurance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Enhances decision-making, resilience, and opportunity capture.
- Builds stakeholder trust without legal mandates.
- Supports compliance with sector regulations; competitive edge via better governance.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: leadership alignment, gap analysis, pilot, rollout, monitoring.
- Applicable universally; tailored by context.
- No external certification; internal audits and reviews suffice. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | RoHS | ISO 31000 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Hazardous substances in EEE materials | Enterprise-wide uncertainty on objectives |
| Industry | EEE manufacturers, EU/EEA focused | All industries, sectors, organization sizes |
| Nature | Mandatory EU directive, market access | Voluntary guidelines, non-certifiable |
| Testing | XRF screening, IEC 62321 lab tests | Risk assessments, no mandated testing |
| Penalties | Fines, recalls, market bans by states | No legal penalties, internal governance |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RoHS and ISO 31000
RoHS FAQ
ISO 31000 FAQ
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