Tag Archives: Singapore RoHS

Singapore – RoHS Regulation Published

The Singapore Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has published its anticipated RoHS-like regulation (No S 263). The regulation restricts the six original EU RoHS substances but only for a subset of the products included in the EU RoHS Directive. The restrictions and other obligations under the regulation were implemented by amending the Environmental Protection and Management Act (Chapter 94A) and will take effect starting June 1, 2017. Products include:

  • mobile phones;
  • laptops;
  • refrigerators;
  • air conditioners;
  • panel television sets; and
  • washing machines.

The regulation excludes batteries (rechargeable and non-rechargeable) and products designed for industrial use only.

The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) says that manufacturers and importers of EEE products will be required to submit a RoHS declaration of conformity before selling products in Singapore.

Singapore Clarifies RoHS Proposal

The Singapore National Environment Agency (NEA) is proposing a Singapore RoHS regulation. The proposal aligns with the EU RoHS Directive, but initially targets only 6 common consumer product categories. The six product categories targeted for RoHS compliance are: Mobile Phones, Mobile computers, Refrigerators, Air conditioners, Panel TVs and Washing Machines. A NEA study has found that 95% of these products are already compliant and intends to ensure compliance of all such products that are sold in Singapore. The proposal suggests that a one-year grace period (transition time) will be provided for manufacturers and importers to comply with the restrictions from the date the regulation is gazetted.

In their response to a public consultation on the proposed regulation, the NEA clarified that

  • Batteries would be excluded from the scope of Singapore RoHS (same as EU RoHS)
  • The RoHS exemptions would be aligned with EU RoHS (Annex III) and updated regularly to remain in alignment.
  • Manufacturers and importers of EEE will be required to submit a RoHS Declaration of Conformity prior to selling EEE product in Singapore (this is different from the enforcement approach employed in the EU).
  • Non-RoHS EEE may still be manufactured in Singapore for export; however, the manufacturer will need to apply for a hazardous substance licence from NEA.