UAE RoHS Isn’t a Copy-Paste of EU Rules. It’s a Compliance System with Teeth.

The UAE Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Regulation might mirror the EU RoHS Directive on the surface, but don't assume it's identical.

Enforced under Cabinet Decision No. 10/217, this framework has been in effect since January 1, 2018 and applies to electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) sold or imported into the UAE.

To legally place products on the UAE market, manufacturers must comply with substance limits, follow approved conformity assessment routes, and obtain a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) under the Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme (ECAS) or apply for the Emirates Quality Mark (EQM).

Restricted Substances Under UAE RoHS

Here are the 10 hazardous substances you can’t exceed:

| Substance | Limit | | --------------------------- | ----- | | Lead (Pb) | 0.1% | | Mercury (Hg) | 0.1% | | Cadmium (Cd) | 0.01% | | Hexavalent Chromium (Cr VI) | 0.1% | | PBB | 0.1% | | PBDE | 0.1% | | DEHP | 0.1% | | BBP | 0.1% | | DBP | 0.1% | | DIBP | 0.1% |

These thresholds apply at the homogeneous material level — every screw, solder, cable, or coating must comply.

UAE RoHS Scope: If You’re Selling Electronics in the UAE, You’re in This

UAE RoHS applies to companies manufacturing or importing EEEs into the UAE market. Covered categories include:

• Large and small household appliances
• IT and telecom equipment
• Consumer electronics
• Lighting equipment
• Electrical tools
• Toys and sports equipment
• Medical devices
• Monitoring and control instruments
• Automatic dispensers
• Catch-all: Any other EEE not listed above

UAE RoHS Exemptions? Yes — military, R&D equipment, and general lighting get a pass (for now).

Who Needs to Comply?

| Role | Responsibility | | ------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | | Manufacturers | Ensure the product meets RoHS limits | | Importers | Verify compliance before import | | Retailers | Confirm product conformity before sale | | Authorized Reps | Represent manufacturer for technical compliance |

Every actor in the supply chain is legally accountable for RoHS conformity.

Conformity Assessment: ECAS vs EQM

There are two ways to demonstrate compliance:

Option 1: ECAS (Emirates Conformity Assessment Scheme)

• Ideal for products not fully assessed yet
• Certificate valid for 1 year

What you need:

• DoC using ESMA’s format (with 3 critical components minimum)
• RoHS testing reports (internal or third-party lab)
• Risk assessment (if needed)

Option 2: EQM (Emirates Quality Mark)

• For manufacturers with full risk documentation
• Certificate valid for 3 years
• Manufacturing site audited and approved

What you need:

• Technical file referencing IEC 63000, IEC 62476, and IEC 62474
• On-site audit by conformity authority
• Official approval to affix EQM on all compliant units

🔎 EQM is the preferred path for volume exporters and OEMs building long-term trust in the UAE market.

How to Get UAE RoHS Compliant Step-by-Step

1. Identify Applicability: Check if your product fits any of the 11 EEE categories

2. Substance Audit: Evaluate BoM and material specs for RoHS 10 substances

3. Compile Documentation:

   • Technical file as per IEC 63000
   • Risk assessments, CoCs, supplier declarations

4. Choose a Compliance Path:

   • ECAS for short-term access
   • EQM for long-term presence

5. Submit to Authority:

   • Apply via ESMA (or successor body)
   • Pass factory audits if EQM

6. Maintain Compliance:

   • Track component changes
   • Renew annually (ECAS) or triennially (EQM)

UAE RoHS Penalties: Non-Compliance Has a Price

Failing UAE RoHS means:

• Product recalls
• Fines and bans
• Legal liability for all supply chain actors

If your CoC lapses or you change components without notifying ESMA, your product is immediately at risk of being blocked.

RoHS Compliance Isn’t Just About Safety — It’s About Access

Complying with UAE RoHS isn’t a checklist. It’s a competitive requirement for any brand entering the Gulf market.

Acquis automates your compliance workflows:

• Identify at-risk components
• Align supplier data with IEC standards
• Build and maintain RoHS documentation
• Choose ECAS or EQM paths with confidence

Book a demo with Acquis UAE RoHS Experts to start automating your UAE RoHS documentation.

Stay compliant. Stay market-ready.