RoHS
EU directive restricting hazardous substances in electrical equipment
UAE PDPL
UAE federal law for personal data protection
Quick Verdict
RoHS restricts hazardous substances in EEE for EU market access, while UAE PDPL mandates personal data protection for UAE residents. Companies adopt RoHS for compliance and recyclability, PDPL for privacy rights and regulatory avoidance.
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of hazardous substances
Key Features
- Homogeneous material thresholds: 0.1% most substances, 0.01% cadmium
- Restricts ten specific hazardous substances in EEE
- Open-scope: all electrical/electronic equipment unless excluded
- Time-limited exemptions reviewed via delegated directives
- Requires technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity
UAE PDPL
Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope for UAE residents' data
- Mandatory DPO for high-risk processing
- Required DPIAs for sensitive data and new tech
- Records of Processing Activities for all
- Breach notification to UAE Data Office
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, amended by 2015/863) is an EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to protect health and environment during waste management. It uses a homogeneous material approach with maximum concentration values (MCVs): 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.
- Open-scope EEE categories (Annex I) with exclusions (Article 2(4)).
- Time-limited exemptions (Annexes III/IV).
- Conformity via technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE marking.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for EU market access; reduces e-waste risks, improves recyclability. Mitigates fines, recalls; enhances supply chain, ESG reputation, global competitiveness.
Implementation Overview
Risk-based: scope analysis, BoM review, supplier declarations, tiered testing (XRF/ICP-MS per IEC 62321), technical files (EN IEC 63000). Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE; 6-18 months typical, no central certification.
UAE PDPL Details
What It Is
UAE PDPL (Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 Concerning the Protection of Personal Data) is a comprehensive federal regulation establishing the first economy-wide framework for personal data processing in onshore UAE. Effective 2 January 2022, it adopts a risk-based approach aligning with GDPR, covering controllers and processors with extraterritorial reach for UAE residents' data.
Key Components
- Core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, security, storage limitation, accountability.
- Obligations: Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), DPO for high-risk, DPIAs for sensitive/large-scale processing, data subject rights (access, portability, erasure, objection).
- No fixed control count; enforced via UAE Data Office with pending Executive Regulations.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for onshore private sector; builds trust, enables digital economy, mitigates penalties (up to millions AED), aligns with global standards for multinationals, enhances cybersecurity maturity.
Implementation Overview
Phased: discovery/gap analysis, design/remediation, operationalization, assurance. Applies broadly (SMEs to enterprises, excluding free zones/government/sectoral data); no certification but RoPA/DPO/DPIA audits expected. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | RoHS | UAE PDPL |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Hazardous substances in EEE materials | Processing of personal data of UAE residents |
| Industry | EEE manufacturers, global with EU focus | All sectors processing UAE personal data |
| Nature | Mandatory EU product restriction directive | Mandatory federal personal data law |
| Testing | XRF screening, IEC 62321 lab analysis | DPIAs for high-risk, security assessments |
| Penalties | Decentralized Member State fines, recalls | Administrative fines, potential criminal liability |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RoHS and UAE PDPL
RoHS FAQ
UAE PDPL FAQ
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