India RoHS Compliance
The Indian Environmental Management of Electronic products
The largest democracy voted the 'E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules' back in 2011. This regulation addresses both the presence of hazardous substances (RoHS) in electronics and their waste (WEEE).
As a result, one single law imposes limitations of certain substances as well as better recycling of electronics. While the WEEE section came into force first on May 1st, 2012, the RoHS obligations started to apply on May 12th, 2013.
If you manufacture or import electronic products in the Republic of India, then WEEE or RoHS obligations may apply, depending on the size of the Indian legal entity and the type of imported devices.
Comparison between India and EU RoHS
Same RoHS Principles
The following approaches apply to both markets:
- Exclusion from the scope of strategical equipment like military products;
- Packaging and batteries are regulated separately and out of the RoHS scope;
- The restriction thresholds apply at the homogeneous material level in both areas;
- These thresholds are of 0.1% w/w except for the cadmium level, at 0.01% w/w;
- Exemptions apply to specific applications, such as lead contained in some metal alloys, glasses, or ceramics in certain electronic components.
Differences Between India and EU RoHS
| India RoHS | European Union (EU) RoHS | |
| Scope |
Most IT and telecommunications equipment, except hards drives and other equipment for collecting, storing, processing, or transmitting information electronically Some large household appliances, like air-conditioning units, refrigerators and washing machines Televisions |
A very broad scope of most consumer and professional electrical and electronic equipment |
| Excluded Businesses | Small-sized enterprises, specifically defined under the Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006 | None |
| Restricted Substances |
Hexavalent Chromium Lead and compounds Mercury and compounds Cadmium and compounds BBPs PBDEs |
Same + 4 phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEHP and DIBP) |
India WEEE
The various stakeholders on the recycling of electronics have to be registered and authorized by the Indian governmental authorities. Permit revisions and e-waste storage restrictions apply.
Need advice on either India RoHS or WEEE ? Reach out to Enviropass!