I. Checking via Chinese Platforms
How to check using Chinese platforms: Platform—China RoHS Public Service Platform (jointly established by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the State Administration for Market Regulation; officially launched in December 2019; responsible for the unified management and publication of conformity assessment information for products included in the “Compliance Management Catalog for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products,” covering functions such as information submission, public inquiry, statistical analysis, and data release);
Access Point—Official website chinarohs.miit.gov.cn “Compliance Inquiry” section (enter keywords such as certification number, self-declaration number, product name, product model, or manufacturer); Data—As of the end of June 2026, 1,514 enterprises had uploaded 21,180 conformity assessment records covering 33,387 product types (compared to 1,414 enterprises, 19,357 records, and 30,636 types in June 2025; and 1,318 enterprises, 16,920 records, and 25,597 types in July 2023, showing continuous growth); Regulations—Based on the “Administrative Measures for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Products” (Order No. 32 of 2016, issued by the MIIT and seven other departments), the “Implementation Arrangements for the Conformity Assessment System” (Announcement No. 23 of 2019, issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation), and requirements mandating conformity assessment and platform submission for twelve categories of products (including refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions) manufactured or imported after November 1, 2019; Scope—Mandatory conformity assessment for products included in the Compliance Management Catalog (First Batch)—Four steps for the Chinese inquiry process: visit the platform, enter keywords, check conformity assessment information, and cross-reference with the product catalog; completing these four steps allows for the verification of the report’s authenticity.
II. EU Standards
What to look for regarding EU standards?
Based on EU regulatory practice, the standards are assessed as follows: Regulation—RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (issued by the European Parliament and Council on July 21, 2011; prohibiting the entry of electrical and electronic equipment containing hazardous substances above specified limits into the EU since July 1, 2006); Substances—currently 10 restricted substances (Lead [Pb], Cadmium [Cd], Mercury [Hg], Hexavalent Chromium [Cr6+], Polybrominated Biphenyls [PBB], Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers [PBDE], Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate [DEHP], Butyl benzyl phthalate [BBP], Dibutyl phthalate [DBP], and Diisobutyl phthalate [DIBP]; the latter four were added via Amendment Directive 2015/863); Limits—maximum permissible concentration by weight in homogeneous materials is 0.1% (1000 mg/kg) for Pb, Hg, Cr6+, PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP, and 0.01% (100 mg/kg) for Cd (SGS limit table); Exemptions—specific, time-limited exemptions may be applied for if necessary conditions are met (e.g., high-melting-point solders, alloy exemptions such as lead content ≤0.35% in batch hot-dip galvanized steel components, and three lead exemption amendments adopted by the European Commission in September 2025); Homogeneous Materials—examples include plastic casings, copper wires inside cables, solder joints, etc. (per EU FAQ examples)—EU standards involve four key aspects: the 10 substances, concentration limits (0.01% for Cd, 0.1% for others), exemption mechanisms, and the determination of homogeneous materials;
compliance is confirmed when all four criteria are met.
III. Selecting a Testing Agency
How to choose a testing agency.
Based on testing and certification practices, here is how to make your selection: **Agencies**—SGS (RoHS compliance testing; limits: Pb, Hg, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE at 1000 mg/kg, Cd at 100 mg/kg; globally recognized third party), TÜV Rheinland, UL Solutions, CEPREI (EU RoHS/REACH testing services), CTI, GRG Metrology, etc. (CNAS-accredited laboratories); **Standards**—Test method GB/T 26125-2011 (determination of six restricted substances—Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE—in electrical and electronic products; sample processing, testing, categories, and sampling methods determined by the testing agency) and the international IEC 62321 series (corresponding to EU RoHS testing); **Reports**—Verifiable report numbers (e.g., Zhongjing Xinyuan report no. SHAEC24007723612; item-by-item conclusions based on EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU and its amendment 2015/863/Annex II), reports containing conclusions on testing requirements (item-by-item limits for Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP); **Turnaround Time**—Standard 5–7 working days (depending on sample quantity and material type), expedited 1–3 working days; **Costs**—Based on the number of substances and material types (tens to hundreds of yuan per item; thousands of yuan for the full set of ten substances)—**Four Key Checks for Agencies**: CNAS accreditation, use of GB/T 26125 methods, verifiable report numbers, and clear turnaround times/costs; evaluate these four factors to select the right agency and obtain your report.
IV.
Conformity Assessment System
What to look for in a conformity assessment system.
Based on the practical implementation of the China RoHS system, the framework is structured as follows: **Models**—three certification models (Type Testing plus post-certification surveillance for components, parts, and materials; Sampling Inspection plus post-certification surveillance for components and parts; and Optimized Testing plus post-certification surveillance—optimized by product category—under the CHCT-01-004-2025 V2 voluntary certification rules); **Methods**—two conformity assessment methods (nationally promoted voluntary certification and self-declaration), with results reported to the China RoHS Public Service Platform; **Catalog**—mandatory compliance for products included in the *Catalog of Electrical and Electronic Products Subject to Compliance Management for the Restriction of the Use of Hazardous Substances* (First Batch) (applicable to twelve categories of products manufactured or imported on or after November 1, 2019); **Applicability**—automation equipment components (classified as components, parts, and materials; primarily subject to the “Type Testing plus post-certification surveillance” model); **Voluntary**—voluntary certification available for products not in the catalog (e.g., for export or to meet customer requirements). **Conformity Assessment Pathways**—four approaches: Type Testing plus surveillance; voluntary certification plus self-declaration; mandatory compliance for catalog products;
and components following Model 1 (the specific pathway is determined by the product type).
V. Export Compliance and Supply Chain
Key considerations for export compliance and the supply chain.
Based on supply chain compliance practices, the approach is as follows: Exports to the EU—both the complete unit and its components must comply with RoHS (components enter the EU market as part of the unit, and RoHS declarations of conformity are passed down the supply chain); Chinese RoHS test reports cannot substitute for EU RoHS compliance (exports must be tested against Directive 2011/65/EU). Supply Chain—supplier RoHS test reports and declarations of conformity are transmitted step-by-step (purchasers verify the authenticity of report numbers via the testing agency’s official website); component manufacturers must periodically update test reports (re-testing is required if material formulations change). Documentation—RoHS test reports (conclusions on limits for specific substances), declarations of conformity, Bills of Materials (BOM), and exemption declarations (e.g., for high-melting-point solders). Verification—authenticity checks (querying report numbers on testing agency websites or certificate/self-declaration numbers on the China RoHS platform); certificates are generally valid for three years (provided material formulations remain unchanged). Risks—risk of batch recalls due to failed spot checks (EU market surveillance inspections, penalties, and product withdrawals). Compliance for exports involves four key aspects: cascading declarations, verifying reports on official websites, re-testing after formulation changes, and managing spot-check risks;
a closed-loop approach across these four areas ensures supply chain stability.
Conclusion
How does one verify RoHS certification for automation equipment components? The conclusion is to verify across five dimensions: China, the EU, the testing agency, the regulatory system, and the supply chain.
China—China RoHS Public Service Platform (chinarohs.miit.gov.cn): Launched in December 2019 by the MIIT and the State Administration for Market Regulation; allows searches by certificate number, self-declaration number, product name, model, or manufacturer; as of the end of June 2026, it covered 1,514 enterprises, 21,180 records, and 33,387 product types. EU—RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU: Restricts 10 substances (Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr(VI), PBB, PBDE, plus DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP); limits are 0.01% for Cd and 0.1% for others in homogeneous materials; includes exemption mechanisms (e.g., high-melting-point solders). Institutions—CNAS-accredited laboratories such as SGS, TÜV, CEPREI, and CTI: Utilize GB/T 26125-2011/IEC 62321 methods; report numbers can be verified on official websites; turnaround time is 5–7 working days; costs depend on the number of substances. Systems—Three certification modes (type testing + supervision, sampling inspection + supervision, optimized testing + supervision); mandatory requirements for 12 product categories (applicable to products manufactured or imported after November 1, 2019); voluntary certification combined with self-declaration submission via the platform. Supply Chain—Reports and declarations passed down the chain;
re-testing required for formula changes; risk mitigation for random inspections.
Industry Summary—A simple guide to RoHS: Check the China platform, follow EU standards for exports, and verify reports on official websites—a three-step check ensures traceable compliance.
