The ECHA will manage the EU RoHS Directive as of August 2027

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) is set to take on critical new responsibilities in managing the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive for electrical and electronic equipment starting 13 August 2027. Established under Directive (EU) 2025/2456, this regulatory shift aims to rationalise the process by introducing a centralised, highly scientific framework.

Here is a breakdown of how the transfer of powers will affect the industry.

Overhaul of the exemption application process

Previously, companies submitted exemption requests for restricted materials (such as specific uses of lead or mercury) straight to the European Commission. The upcoming 2027 deadline changes this pipeline entirely:

• Direct submissions to ECHA: Electronics manufacturers and importers must route all requests for granting, renewing, or revoking exemptions directly through ECHA.
• Strict completeness checks: The agency will enforce a 45-day data completeness check. If a dossier is found lacking, firms will get a single 60-day window to rectify omissions.
• Rigorous scientific scrutiny: ECHA’s Committee for Risk Assessment (RAC) and Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (SEAC) will evaluate the case, aiming to issue a scientific opinion within 12 months of dossier validation.
• Final political sign-off: ECHA only handles the evaluation. The European Commission retains ultimate political authority to formally grant or deny the exemption, which it must do within 9 months of receiving ECHA’s opinion.

Regular reviews of banned substances

ECHA will now oversee the collection of technical data needed to build restriction dossiers for emerging hazardous substances under Annex II of the RoHS Directive. To keep up with technological advances, the regulations mandate a thorough review of the banned substances list at least once every four years.

What this change means for businesses

• Elevated scientific standards: Aligning RoHS assessments with ECHA’s existing REACH methodologies means that future exemption files will require far more robust technical arguments and detailed alternative analyses.
• Longer lead times for renewals: Businesses must submit applications to renew existing exemptions at least 18 months before their current expiry date.
• Preparation and interim timelines: ECHA is already developing harmonised submission templates. A transitional window will run between 1 February 2027 and 13 August 2027, during which ECHA and the Commission will jointly process incoming applications.

If you want to prepare your compliance strategy early reach out to Nordiik now.

Source: ECHA