RoHS Certification for Lighting: Mandatory Pass for Global Market Access

In the context of globalized trade, RoHS certification has become a mandatory pass for lighting products entering international markets. According to EU statistics, lighting products failing RoHS certification face risks of detention, recall, or even fines. Compliance directly impacts market access in over 30 countries worldwide.

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I. What Is RoHS Certification for Lighting?

RoHS certification is a mandatory standard enacted by the EU, formally known as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive. Officially implemented on July 1, 2006, this standard regulates the materials and technical requirements of electrical and electronic products to protect human health and the environment.

Core Values

• Legal Mandate: RoHS is a legally binding EU standard. Lighting products failing conformity assessment are prohibited from being sold, distributed, or used in the EU market.
• Environmental Protection: Aims to eliminate hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, safeguarding human health and the environment.
• Market Access Prerequisite: An indispensable requirement for lighting products to enter the EU and multiple global markets.
• CE Mark Association: Products complying with RoHS guidelines must affix the CE mark.

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II. Scope of Lighting Products Applicable to RoHS Certification

The RoHS Directive applies to all lighting products placed on the EU market, mainly including:

By Product Type

• Fixed luminaires: Permanently installed products such as ceiling lights, chandeliers, and wall lights.
• Recessed luminaires: Recess-mounted products such as downlights, grille lights, and panel lights.
• Portable luminaires: Mobile products such as table lamps, floor lamps, and desk lights.
• Special-purpose luminaires: Night lights, garden lights, road lighting fixtures, etc.

Detailed Applicable Scope

• Large household appliances, small household appliances
• Information and communication equipment, consumer products
• Lighting equipment (including fluorescent lamps excluding household lighting, and lighting control gear)
• Electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment
• Medical devices, monitoring and control instruments, vending machines

Voltage Range

Applies to all electrical and electronic equipment with AC voltage ≤1000V or DC voltage ≤1500V.

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III. Restricted Substances & Limit Requirements for RoHS Certification

List of Restricted Substances

The RoHS 2.0 Directive currently restricts the use of 10 hazardous substances:

Hazardous Substance	Limit Requirement	Application Scope
Lead (Pb)	1000ppm	Metal materials, solder, glass, etc.
Cadmium (Cd)	100ppm	Plastic stabilizers, batteries, pigments
Mercury (Hg)	1000ppm	Fluorescent lamps, switches, batteries
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+)	1000ppm	Metal anti-rust coatings, pigments
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)	1000ppm	Plastic flame retardants
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)	1000ppm	Plastic flame retardants
Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate (DEHP)	1000ppm	Plastic plasticizers
Benzyl Butyl Phthalate (BBP)	1000ppm	Plastic plasticizers
Dibutyl Phthalate (DBP)	1000ppm	Plastic plasticizers
Diisobutyl Phthalate (DIBP)	1000ppm	Plastic plasticizers

Note: Cadmium has the strictest limit (100ppm), while other substances have a limit of 1000ppm.

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IV. Testing Methods for Lighting RoHS Certification

Main Testing Methods

Based on different lighting materials, laboratories typically adopt the following testing methods:

1. Screening Test Methods

• X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF): Suitable for rapid screening of lead, mercury, cadmium, total chromium, and bromine in plastic parts, metal components, and electronic elements.

2. Precise Analysis Methods

• Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): Used for quantitative analysis of PBB and PBDE flame retardants in plastic parts and electronic elements.
• Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES/OES): Suitable for testing lead, mercury, cadmium, and total chromium content in plastic parts, metal components, and electronic elements.

Testing Differences by Lighting Material

• Metal Materials: Test for 4 hazardous metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium).
• Plastic Materials: In addition to the above 4 heavy metals, test for PBB and PBDE.
• Packaging Materials: Heavy metal testing is required for packaging materials of different types.

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V. Detailed RoHS Certification Process

Complete Certification Flow

1. Application Phase

   • Fill out the RoHS test application form.
   • Provide a list of product components.

2. Quotation & Payment

   • Engineers determine test fees based on product materials.
   • After confirming the quotation, the applicant signs the application form and service agreement, and pays the project fee.

3. Sample Preparation & Delivery

   • Prepare representative samples and deliver them to the laboratory.
   • Ensure the sample quantity matches the list.

4. Testing Process

   • The laboratory reasonably disassembles the samples.
   • Conduct hazardous substance testing on different materials separately.
   • Typical test cycle: 1–2 weeks.

5. Report Issuance

   • Upon passing the test, issue a RoHS compliance report and certificate.
   • If non-compliant, replace with products that meet requirements for re-testing.

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VI. China RoHS Management System

On December 4, 2019, China officially launched the China Public Service Platform for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products (referred to as China RoHS Public Service Platform). As the core carrier for implementing the "Measures for the Administration of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products" in China, the platform unifies the management of conformity assessment information, provides public inquiry services, and supports enterprises to declare product compliance information through self-declaration or third-party certification.

Comparison Between EU RoHS and China RoHS

Item	EU RoHS	China RoHS
Legal Nature	Mandatory Directive	Administrative Measures
Regulatory Model	Universal Restriction	Phased Implementation
Marking Requirement	CE Mark	Green/Orange Label
Information Disclosure	Technical Documents	Declaration on Public Service Platform

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VII. GTG Testing Group’s RoHS Certification Service Advantages

1. Professional Testing Capabilities

• Equipped with high-precision spectral analysis systems and a full set of chemical analysis equipment, ensuring accurate and reliable test data.
• Proficient in EU 2011/65/EU and RoHS regulations/standards worldwide.
• Provide end-to-end services from material analysis to finished product verification.

2. End-to-End Service Support

• Comprehensive solutions: Standard interpretation, gap analysis, product pre-testing, and formal certification.
• Professional team guides technical document preparation and conformity declaration compilation.
• Support for declaration on China RoHS Public Service Platform.

3. Cost Optimization Solutions

• Pre-screening services: Use XRF and other rapid screening methods to identify risks early, avoiding formal certification failure.
• Serial certification: Reduce repeated testing for similar products, significantly lowering costs.
• Localized services: Minimize sample transportation time and expenses, improving efficiency.

4. Continuous Compliance Assurance

• Early warnings for regulatory updates and gap analysis.
• Consulting services for supply chain hazardous substance management.
• Certificate maintenance and renewal services.

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RoHS certification has become a mandatory threshold and environmental commitment for lighting products entering the global market. As global environmental requirements become increasingly strict, proactive planning and professional certification have become essential market strategies for lighting enterprises. Choosing an experienced testing and certification partner not only ensures smooth product certification but also helps establish a robust green product management system, laying a solid foundation for long-term stable global market expansion.

With a comprehensive service system, professional technical team, and rich project experience, GTG Testing Group provides all-round RoHS certification solutions for lighting enterprises, helping products successfully obtain market access and navigate global markets seamlessly.