Korea RoHS/ELV/WEEE

Korea

Korea RoHS/ELV/WEEE

Little Pro on 2016-05-24

The Act for Resource Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles (commonly known as Korean RoHS) was passed on 2 April 2007 in the National Assembly of Korea and entered into force on 1 Jan 2008. The regulation restricts certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products and vehicles. It is the Korean version of EU RoHS directive, EU ELV Directive and EU WEEE Directive.

Scope of Korea RoHS/ELV/WEEE

Korea RoHS applies to TVs, refrigerators, mobile devices, washers (household use only), personal computers, audio equipment, air-conditioners, printers, copiers and fax machines. Certain products such as batterties, medical devices and packing materials are out the scope of Korean RoHS. Regulated vehicles include passenger cars, vans and trucks under 3.5 tons.

Restricted Substances and Concentration Limits

Korea RoHS currently restricts 6 hazardous substances in electronic and electrical products and 4 hazardous substances in vehicles. The list of hazardous substances and detailed concentration limits are stipulated by Presidential Decree.

Status	Substances and Limits
Electronic and Electrical Products	Cadmium(Cd) and its compounds: 0.01% Mercury and its compounds: 0.1% Lead(Pb) and its compounds : 0.1% Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) and its compounds: 0.1% Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB): 0.1 %; Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE): 0.1 %
Vehicles	Cadmium(Cd) and its compounds: 0.01% Mercury and its compounds: 0.1% Lead(Pb) and its compounds : 0.1% Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) and its compounds: 0.1%

Even though the above restrictions apply to finished products, components are often affected. Currently, Korea RoHS does not restrict 4 phthalates which are restricted by EU RoHS2.

Declaration of Compliance

Producers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment and vehicles shall make self-declaration on their compliance with the concentration limits of hazardous substances. Declaration method is to notify product info to the electrical and electronic assurance system (www.ecoas.or.kr) or publish declarations on company webpages.

Unlike China RoHS 2, there is no mandatory certification requirement under Korea RoHS. However, producers or importers who do not comply with the regulation are subject to punishment of confinement or fine payment.

Labeling of Hazardous Substances and RoHS Mark for Electronic and Electrical Products

Unlike China RoHS 2, there is no requirement on labeling of hazardous substances or green RoHS mark under Korea RoHS.

Recycling of Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Vehicles

Manufacturers, importers of electrical and electronic equipment or their contractors for the recycling of waste shall carry out recycling of their waste in accordance with the Recycling Methods and Standards by Product Categories as prescribed by a Ministry of the Environment Ordinance.

Producers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment may collect and recycle their waste individually (including recycling of waste by employing a waste recycler) or join a Recycling Mutual Aid Association.

References and Resources

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