Standards Comparison

    RoHS

    Mandatory
    2011

    EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in EEE

    VS

    ISO 41001

    Voluntary
    2018

    International standard for facility management systems

    Quick Verdict

    RoHS mandates hazardous substance limits in EEE for EU market access, while ISO 41001 provides a voluntary framework for facility management excellence. Manufacturers adopt RoHS for compliance; organizations use ISO 41001 for strategic FM alignment, efficiency, and sustainability.

    Hazardous Substances

    RoHS

    Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)

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

    Key Features

    • Restricts 10 hazardous substances in homogeneous materials
    • Open-scope applies to all EEE unless excluded
    • Time-limited exemptions managed via delegated directives
    • Requires technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity
    • Tiered verification using IEC 62321 testing methods
    Facility Management

    ISO 41001

    ISO 41001:2018 Facility management — Management systems

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

    Key Features

    • Distinguishes FM organization from demand organization
    • Aligns with ISO HLS for IMS integration
    • Mandates stakeholder requirement lifecycle management
    • Emphasizes risk planning with continuity focus
    • Requires operational service integration controls

    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). It aims to protect health and environment by limiting risks in waste management, complementing WEEE Directive. Scope is open: all EEE unless excluded. Key approach: homogeneous material thresholds (0.1% for most substances, 0.01% for cadmium).

    Key Components

    • 10 restricted substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).
    • Annexes III/IV for time-limited exemptions.
    • Conformity via technical documentation (IEC 63000), EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), CE marking.
    • **Tiered verificationscreening (XRF), confirmatory testing (IEC 62321). No certification; self-declaration with 10-year retention.

    Why Organizations Use It

    Mandated for EU market access; prevents fines, recalls. Drives supply chain governance, substitution innovation, recyclability. Enhances ESG, level playing field, global compliance baseline.

    Implementation Overview

    Risk-based: scope products, map BoMs, supplier declarations, exemptions tracking, testing high-risk materials. Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE; phased (3-18 months by size). Market surveillance by Member States.

    ISO 41001 Details

    What It Is

    ISO 41001:2018 is a certifiable management system standard for facility management (FM). It specifies requirements to demonstrate effective FM delivery supporting demand organization objectives, meeting stakeholder needs, and ensuring sustainability. Built on ISO High-Level Structure (HLS) and PDCA cycle, it applies a process approach.

    Key Components

    • Clauses 4-10: Context, Leadership, Planning, Support, Operation, Performance Evaluation, Improvement.
    • FM-specific elements like stakeholder mapping, service integration, risk/continuity planning.
    • No fixed controls; focuses on principles like alignment, risk-based thinking.
    • Certification via accredited third-party audits.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Strategic alignment elevates FM to executive level.
    • Reduces costs, risks, improves efficiency/sustainability.
    • Meets contractual/tender requirements; builds trust.
    • Enables IMS integration (e.g., ISO 9001, 14001).

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, policy/objectives, processes, audits.
    • Applicable all sizes/sectors; 12-24 months typical.
    • In-house/outsourced/hybrid; requires leadership commitment, documented evidence.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    RoHS
    Hazardous substances in EEE materials
    ISO 41001
    Facility management systems and processes

    Industry

    RoHS
    EEE manufacturers worldwide
    ISO 41001
    All organizations with facilities globally

    Nature

    RoHS
    Mandatory EU product regulation
    ISO 41001
    Voluntary management system standard

    Testing

    RoHS
    XRF/ICP-MS on homogeneous materials
    ISO 41001
    Internal audits and management reviews

    Penalties

    RoHS
    Fines, recalls by Member States
    ISO 41001
    Loss of certification, no legal penalties

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about RoHS and ISO 41001

    RoHS FAQ

    ISO 41001 FAQ

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