Environmental Testing

RoHS 2.0 is the EU directive 2011/65/EU restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to limit the harmful impact of electronic waste on the environment and human health. RoHS 2.0 extends its scope to almost all EEE, including home appliances, toys, and medical equipment.

RoHS 2.0 testing is a multi-layer process starting with rapid screening and then progressing to precise quantitative analysis.

X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF)

• Principle: The sample is illuminated with X-rays, exciting atoms in the sample to emit fluorescence at specific wavelengths. The result can be used to detect the abundances of elements present in the sample.
• Application: Quick screening of elements such as lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), total chromium (Cr), and bromine (Br).

Note: The analysis provides information on the total content of each element but cannot identify compounds or the valence state of elements. When the total chromium and total bromine exceed the limits, it does not indicate that hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) and brominated flame retardants (PBBs/PBDEs).

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS)

• Principle: GC-MS is used for detecting organic compounds. Analysis begins with the gas chromatograph, where the sample is effectively vaporized into the gas phase and separated into its various components, then identified and quantified by mass spectrometry.
• Application: Detection of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP), etc.