Eurasia – RoHS Takes Effect Starting March 1, 2020

Eurasian RoHS takes effect starting March 1, 2020. The substance restrictions and conformity requirements will be in effect across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) which includes Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia. The substance restrictions and thresholds are the same six substances that were initially restricted in EU RoHS.  The main difference with Eurasian RoHS is the submission of certification and/or declaration documentation.

The Eurasian RoHS technical regulation was published as TR EAEU 037/2016 on restricting the use of hazardous substances in electrical engineering and radio electronic products. It applies to a broad range of EEE products. In October 2018, a specific list of products (with custom codes) was published as EAEC Decision No. 167 to supplement the original regulation.

The below list provides a general overview of the products in scope (see EAEC Decision No. 167 for details):

  • electrical appliances and appliances for household use,
  • appliances for washing, ironing, drying, cleaning of linen, clothes and shoes (washing machines, tumble dryers, irons, etc.),
  • appliances used for cleaning the premises (vacuum cleaners, floor polishers, electrical brushes, etc.),
  • appliances to maintain and adjust indoor climate (fans, air conditioners, humidifiers, electric heaters, etc.),
  • appliances for sanitary purposes (water heaters, showers, toilets, etc.),
  • electric appliances for hair, nail and skin care,
  • gaming, sports and fitness equipment,
  • audio and video equipment,
  • sewing and knitting machines,
  • power supplies, chargers,
  • appliances for gardening (lawn mowers, trimmers, etc.),
  • electric pumps,
  • electronic computer systems,
  • telecommunication equipment,
  • copiers and other electrical office equipment,
  • electric tools (drills, saws, scissors, etc.),
  • lighting equipment (electric lamps, general purpose lamps, etc.),
  • musical instruments,
  • gaming and vending machines, etc.

Conformity Assurance

Eurasian RoHS provides two approaches to conformity assessment: (1)  testing by in-country laboratories or (2) demonstration of technical documentation conforming to IEC 63000 or EN 50581 under a quality assurance system.

Enforcement

Enforcement of Eurasian RoHS is expected via market surveillance and by customs officers at borders who will verify that the product records are on file.