Source: CHEAA-run China Appliance magazine
Starting November 1 2019, 12 categories of products listed in the compliance catalogue shall be managed in accordance with the conformity assessment system of China RoHS 2.0. This unveils the era of RoHS 2.0 in China.
The progress of China RoHS 2.0
The implementation of The Management Methods for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (hereinafter referred to as the Management Methods) starting July 1 2016 marks the starting point of China RoHS 2.0. The Management Methods is aimed to control and reduce the pollution caused by waste electrical and electronic products, advance clean manufacturing and the integrated use of resources, encourage green consumption and protect environment and human health. According to it, manufacturers and importers shall provide the names and contents of restricted hazardous substances in product instructions, mark them on the parts where they are contained, specify if they can be recycled and reused and the influence they may have on the environment and human health if the product is not properly used or treated. The Management Methods is considered as the first step of China RoHS 2.0.
The two-step approach has been determined since the establishment of China RoHS2.0, according to Wan Chunhui, Vice Secretary General of China Household Electrical Appliances Association. The first step is to identify the restricted substances and the concentrations, and the second step is to develop a compliance catalogue and a conformity assessment system and determine the concentration limits. Listed products in the catalogue shall meet the requirements of national standards or industry standards for restricted use of hazardous substances as regulated, and shall be managed in accordance with the conformity assessment system, according to the Management Methods.
The second step was taken when the compliance catalogue was released on March 12 2018. The catalogue covers 12 categories of products with 5 categories of home appliances included, which are refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, water heaters and TVs. Scheduled to take effect starting March 12 2019, the catalogue turned out to be postponed for two months before official implementation for various reasons.
On May 16 2019, Implementation Arrangement for the Conformity Assessment System for Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products of China RoHS 2.0 was unveiled by State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) and Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The document provides executable requirements for stakeholders. According to the Arrangement, listed products shipped out of the factory or imported after November 1 this year shall comply with the implementation arrangement.
Conformity assessment system
Products listed in the catalogue shall not only comply with the requirements regarding concentration limits, but also complete conformity evaluation and be marked with corresponding conformity assessment mark.
The conformity assessment system for the limited use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products includes two ways: state-recommended voluntary RoHS certification or self-declaration of conformity (SDoC).
The supplier of electrical and electronic products included in the catalogue should choose one of the two methods to complete the conformity assessment. With the same effect, the two methods have different marks. Conformity assessment mark aside, suppliers shall be marked with an extra label that indicates the environmental protection use period according to the requirements of SJ/t 11364.
To complete a voluntary certification, enterprises shall apply for the certification voluntarily and the related products shall be certified by accredited certification body. The certification body shall report the assessment result to the public service platform in 5 work days after certifying a product with compliance.
To complete a self-declaration, suppliers (including manufacturers or authorized representatives) shall report the compliance information to the public service platform in 30 calendar days after related products are placed on the market.
The public service platform is jointly developed by SAMR and MIIT with entries at both websites. The two assessment methods shall both be finished on the website. Consumers can look up product information on the website.