Core process of EU RoHS testing for routers
Date：2025-11-17 10:32:23 Classification
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The RoHS Directive is a mandatory standard established by EU legislation. It is the "Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment." Routers, as electronic devices exported to the EU, must pass RoHS testing, a mandatory environmental hurdle. The process is similar to other products you've previously researched, but special attention should be paid to the disassembly testing of electronic components.
I. Core Process of EU RoHS Testing for Routers (6 Standardized Steps)
1. Document Preparation and Sample Disassembly
- Key Documents: Completed application form (including product model and material specifications), Bill of Materials (BOM), product manual (indicating material composition).
- Sample Requirements:
- Provide 1-2 complete routers (if it's a series product, it must cover different specifications);
- Mandatory Disassembly: Disassemble into individual components according to material, such as plastic casing, PCB circuit board, power cord, chips, connectors, antennas, etc. Metal and non-metal components must be tested separately.
- Note: If using purchased components (such as capacitors and resistors), obtain the supplier's RoHS compliance declaration in advance to reduce overall testing costs.
2. Testing Item Confirmation (RoHS 2.0 Ten Mandatory Control Items)
| Substance Category | Specific Substance | Limit Requirements
| Heavy Metals | Lead (Pb), Mercury (Hg), Cadmium (Cd), Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) | Cadmium ≤ 0.01%, others ≤ 0.1%
| Organic Pollutants | Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs), Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs) | ≤ 0.1%
| Newly Added Phthalate Contaminants | DEHP, DBP, BBP, DIBP (Plasticizers) | Total of DEHP and other four items ≤ 0.1%
- High-risk points for routers: PCB board solder (lead), plastic casing (phthalate plasticizers), power cord (cadmium), flame retardants (PBB/PBDEs).
3. Laboratory Testing (Based on IEC 62321 Standard)
- Non-metallic Materials: Rapid screening using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) → Precise quantification of positive substances using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
- Metallic Materials: For heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, detection is performed via acid digestion followed by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).
- Timeframe: Typically 5-7 working days; extended to 10 days if multiple parts are disassembled or retesting is required.
4. Report Issuance and Compliance Assessment
- Compliance Status: All substances comply with limits. The laboratory issues a RoHS test report in both Chinese and English, including sample photos, a disassembly list, testing methods, and conclusions.
- Handling of Non-Compliance: If any substance exceeds the limit (e.g., DEHP plasticizer exceeds the limit), the materials must be rectified (e.g., replaced with environmentally friendly plastics) and resubmitted until all substances meet the standards.
5. CE Marking and Technical Documentation Archiving
- RoHS 2.0 falls under the scope of CE certification. After the report is completed, the CE marking must be affixed to the product, and a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) must be prepared.
- Mandatory Archiving: Technical documents (including test reports, BOM, and supplier declarations) must be retained for 10 years. EU customs or market regulators may conduct random checks.
6. Report Validity and Updates
- Basic Rules: The report is valid indefinitely, but retesting is required if the product material, manufacturing process, or supplier changes.
- Regulatory Updates: If the EU issues new restricted substances (such as future additions to the control list), retesting according to the new standards is required (currently 10 substances, with no plans for new additions by 2025).
II. Specific Considerations for Routers
- Batch Consistency: If different batches of routers use components from different suppliers (e.g., changing PCB board manufacturers), the samples in that batch must be retested.
- Synergy with Other Certifications: Routers exported to the EU also require CE-EMC (Electromagnetic Compatibility) certification. RoHS + EMC combined testing can be applied for simultaneously to shorten the overall cycle. - Cost Reference: The cost of a full 10-item test is approximately 1000-2000 RMB (charged according to the number of components; the more components, the higher the cost). CNAS laboratories charge slightly more than ordinary institutions but have higher recognition (e.g., Dezewei Testing CNAS registration number: L8083).
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