What is the primary objective of **RoHS**?

**The primary objective of **RoHS** is to restrict hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to protect human health and the environment during waste management and recycling.** Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2), amended by 2015/863, limits ten substances—lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP—at 0.1% (1000 ppm) by weight in homogeneous materials (0.01% or 100 ppm for Cd), unless exempted. This supports WEEE recyclability and ensures a level playing field for EU market access.

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **RoHS**?

**Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and authorized representatives placing EEE on the EU market must comply with **RoHS**.** Scope covers all EEE categories in Annex I (e.g., appliances, IT, lighting, medical devices) unless excluded (e.g., large-scale fixed installations, military equipment per Article 2(4)). Compliance requires technical documentation per EN IEC 63000:2018 and EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC).

Does **RoHS** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**No, **RoHS** does not require external audits or third-party certification.** Compliance is self-assessed via technical documentation, DoC, and CE marking (where applicable), retained for 10 years. Risk-based verification uses supplier declarations and targeted testing (IEC 62321 series), with market surveillance by Member States.

How often should an assessment for **RoHS** be performed?

**RoHS assessments must be performed continuously as a dynamic process, with periodic reviews tied to changes and risks.** Initial assessment occurs pre-market placement; re-assess on supplier changes, exemptions expiry (Annex III/IV), or delegated acts. Annual audits for high-risk materials and exemption tracking ensure ongoing conformity.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **RoHS**?

**Non-compliance with **RoHS** results in decentralized enforcement by Member States, including product withdrawal, recalls, sales bans, and administrative fines.** Penalties vary by jurisdiction (e.g., up to €10 million or 10% turnover cited in analogous regimes); importers/distributors face due diligence liabilities, plus reputational damage and market exclusion.

An **RoHS** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, **RoHS** substance lists and thresholds align with frameworks like China RoHS 2 (core six substances, mandatory marking/E-PUP), California SB50, and others.** Mapping requires adjustments for scope (China's broader EEE), exemptions (China lacks EU-style), and disclosures, enabling baseline EU compliance with market-specific adaptations.

What is the first step to begin implementing **RoHS**?

**The first step to implement **RoHS** is scoping products against Annex I categories and exclusions (Article 2(4)).** Develop a decision tree for EEE classification, inventory BoMs at homogeneous material level, and initiate supplier declarations to build the technical file per EN IEC 63000:2018.

What is the primary objective of **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**The primary objective of MLPS 2.0 is to classify information systems into five protection levels based on potential harm to national security, social order, and public interests, ensuring controls are commensurate with impact.** Originating from China's 2017 Cybersecurity Law (Article 21), it mandates technical, management, physical, and personnel safeguards across all network operators. Standards like GB/T 22239-2020 define common controls (e.g., governance, logging) plus extensions for cloud, IoT, and ICS, with enforcement by Public Security Bureaus (PSBs).

Who is legally or professionally required to comply with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**All network operators in mainland China, including domestic firms, foreign-invested enterprises, and multinationals with local systems, are legally required to comply with MLPS 2.0 under the Cybersecurity Law.** This covers virtually all IT/OT networks, cloud platforms, IoT, big data, and ICS in critical sectors like finance, energy, telecom. Level 2+ systems demand PSB filing and expert review; foreign entities must adapt global models for local staffing and data localization.

Does **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** require an external audit or third-party certification?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 requires external security reviews by licensed Chinese firms for Level 2+ systems, with PSB approval and scoring ≥75/100 for certification.** Reviews cover architecture, controls, policies, and testing; Level 3+ needs annual evaluations. Self-assessments suffice for Level 1, but all levels face PSB inspections and filing.

How often should an assessment for **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be performed?

**Assessments under MLPS 2.0 must occur biennially for Level 2, annually for Level 3, semi-annually for Level 4, and as mandated for Level 5, plus after major changes.** Self-inspections are continuous; external reviews by licensed firms and PSB oversight ensure ongoing compliance for registered systems.

What are the consequences of non-compliance with **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)**?

**Non-compliance with MLPS 2.0 results in fines up to 100,000 RMB, operational suspensions, system shutdowns, and intensified PSB inspections.** Enforcement links to license renewals; severe cases involve blacklisting or criminal liability, as seen in financial fines exceeding 200 million RMB for breaches tied to inadequate protections.

An **MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)** be mapped to other international frameworks?

**Yes, MLPS 2.0 control domains (governance, physical, technical) map to ISO 27001 Annex A and NIST CSF categories, enabling gap analysis via Statement of Applicability.** Organizations leverage existing ISMS for common controls like access management and logging, overlaying MLPS specifics (e.g., PSB filing, localization) for China operations.

RoHS vs MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Standards Comparison

RoHS

Mandatory

2011

EU directive restricting hazardous substances in EEE

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Mandatory

N/A

China's mandatory graded cybersecurity protection framework

Quick Verdict

RoHS restricts hazardous substances in EEE for EU market access, ensuring safe recycling. MLPS 2.0 mandates graded cybersecurity for Chinese networks, protecting national security. Companies adopt RoHS for global trade compliance; MLPS for China operations.

Hazardous Substances

RoHS

Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2)

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

High

Implementation Time

6-12 months

Key Features

Homogeneous material limits: 0.1% most substances, 0.01% cadmium
Open scope: all EEE unless explicitly excluded
Time-limited exemptions via delegated acts (Annex III/IV)
Requires technical documentation and EU Declaration of Conformity
Tiered verification: XRF screening to IEC 62321 lab testing

Standard

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)

Multi-Level Protection Scheme 2.0

Cost

€€€€

Complexity

Medium

Implementation Time

12-18 months

Key Features

Five-level impact-based system classification
Mandatory registration and PSB approval (Level 2+)
Graded technical controls for cloud, IoT, ICS
Third-party audits with 75/100 pass score
Law enforcement oversight and periodic re-evaluations

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 substances during waste management, complementing WEEE Directive. Scope covers all EEE unless excluded, with restrictions at homogeneous material level using maximum concentration values (MCVs): 0.1% for most, 0.01% for cadmium.

Key Components

Ten restricted substances (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, four phthalates).
**Annexes III/IVTime-limited exemptions for specific uses.
Compliance via technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE marking.
IEC 63000 for documentation; IEC 62321 for testing.

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/ICP-MS), exemption tracking. Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE globally selling to EU; 6-18 months typical, no central certification but audit-ready files retained 10 years.

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) Details

What It Is

MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) is China's legally mandated regulatory framework for graded cybersecurity protection of information systems and networks. Enforced under the 2017 Cybersecurity Law (Article 21), it requires operators to classify systems into five levels based on potential harm to national security, social order, and public interests, implementing commensurate technical, governance, and organizational controls.

Key Components

Core domains: physical security, network protection, data security, access control, monitoring, and governance.
Standards like GB/T 22239-2019, GB/T 25070-2019 define baselines, extended for cloud, IoT, big data, ICS.
Built on impact-based classification; Levels 2+ require third-party audits (75/100 score minimum) and PSB approval.

Why Organizations Use It

Mandatory for all mainland China network operators, including foreign firms; non-compliance risks fines, suspensions.
Enhances resilience, supports market access, aligns with data laws; builds regulator trust.

Implementation Overview

Phased: scoping, classification, gap analysis, remediation, audits, ongoing re-evaluations.
Applies universally; higher costs/audits for Levels 3+; suits all sizes in China operations.

Key Differences

Aspect	RoHS	MLPS 2.0 (Multi-Level Protection Scheme)
Scope	Hazardous substances in EEE materials	Graded cybersecurity for all networks
Industry	EEE manufacturers globally, EU-focused	All network operators in China
Nature	EU product restriction directive, mandatory	Chinese cybersecurity regulation, mandatory
Testing	XRF screening, IEC 62321 lab tests	Third-party audits, PSB inspections
Penalties	Fines, recalls by Member States	Fines, suspensions by PSBs