RoHS
EU regulation restricting hazardous substances in EEE
WCAG
Global W3C standard for web content accessibility.
Quick Verdict
RoHS restricts hazardous substances in electronics for EU market access and safety, while WCAG guidelines ensure web accessibility for disabled users. Companies adopt RoHS for legal compliance and recyclability; WCAG mitigates lawsuits and expands user reach.
RoHS
Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2 recast)
Key Features
- Homogeneous material thresholds: 0.1% max for 10 substances
- Open scope: all EEE unless explicitly excluded
- Time-limited exemptions with renewal via delegated acts
- Technical file and EU Declaration of Conformity required
- Tiered testing via IEC 62321: screening to confirmatory
WCAG
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2
Key Features
- POUR principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust
- Testable success criteria at A, AA, AAA levels
- Technology-agnostic with backward-compatible versions
- Conformance requires full pages and complete processes
- Informative techniques, failures, and Quick Reference tools
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 10 hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). It aims to protect health and environment by limiting risks in waste management, using an open-scope approach applying to all EEE unless excluded, with homogeneous material concentration limits (0.1% for most, 0.01% for cadmium).
Key Components
- **Annex II10 restricted substances (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP).
- **Annexes III/IVTime-limited exemptions.
- Compliance via technical documentation, EU Declaration of Conformity (DoC), and CE marking.
- Built on risk-based evidentiary model per EN IEC 63000 and testing standards (IEC 62321).
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for EU market access; reduces e-waste hazards, aids recyclability with WEEE. Manages supply chain risks, ensures level playing field, builds stakeholder trust via demonstrable conformity.
Implementation Overview
Risk-based: scope products, gather supplier declarations, targeted testing, build technical files (10-year retention). Applies to manufacturers/importers of EEE globally selling to EU; no certification but audit-ready evidence for surveillance. Suits all sizes, complex for multi-tier supply chains.
WCAG Details
What It Is
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) is the W3C's internationally recognized, technology-agnostic framework for web accessibility. Its primary purpose is to make web content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for people with disabilities, using testable success criteria organized under POUR principles.
Key Components
- Four **POUR principlesPerceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust.
- 13 guidelines with ~80 success criteria at Levels A, AA, AAA (AA most common target).
- Informative techniques, understanding docs, and conformance requirements like full pages and complete processes.
- No formal certification; self-assessed conformance claims.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets legal benchmarks (ADA, Section 508, EN 301 549, EAA).
- Reduces litigation risk and enhances UX/market reach.
- Improves SEO, conversion, and stakeholder trust.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: assessment, remediation, training, CI/CD integration.
- Applies to all org sizes/industries; global scope.
- Multi-method testing (automated/manual/user); ongoing monitoring.
Key Differences
| Aspect | RoHS | WCAG |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Hazardous substances in EEE materials | Web content accessibility for disabilities |
| Industry | Electronics manufacturing, global EEE | Digital/web services, all industries worldwide |
| Nature | Mandatory EU product restriction directive | Voluntary W3C technical guidelines standard |
| Testing | XRF screening, IEC 62321 lab analysis | Automated scans, manual AT, user testing |
| Penalties | Fines, recalls by Member States | Litigation, no direct fines |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about RoHS and WCAG
RoHS FAQ
WCAG FAQ
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