RoHS category 8 and 9 product review

UK: As part of the study around the scope of the RoHS Directive, categories 8 and 9 will now fall within scope. However, in respect of category 9, monitoring and control instruments, industry is building a perception that all "test" equipment will fall within scope. This is not necessarily the case. In conjunction with ERA Technology, who carried out the original review for the European Commission, here is a look at what is in scope, and which products may require some further clarification.

Indicative list of examples of Category 8 and 9 products and those where the status is unclear.

Category 8 products in scope



* Blood pressure meters (consumer types and professional types)

* Blood analysers, e.g.  cholesterol, sugar (consumer types and professional types)

* Self-test kits - electrical types (consumer and professional types)

* Oxygen analysers (respiration monitors)

* Immunoassay analysers (IVD)

* Endoscope

* Ultrasound

* CT scanner

* PET

* X-ray imaging

* Medical thermometer

* Dialysis equipment

* Medical Freezers

* Gamma Camera

* Intravenous drug infusion pumps

* Ventilators

* Defibrillators

* Pacemakers

* Hearing aids

* Surgical microscope

* Hospital beds that rely on electricity for their main function

* Electrical surgical tools (saws, etc.)

* Medical lasers

* ECG

* Anaesthesia equipment

* Operating theatre equipment

* Dental equipment

“Medical” products where status requires clarification

* Proton therapy facility including particle accelerator

* Veterinary products

* Electric scooters used by disabled (as a transport product)

* Hospital beds that are not dependent on electricity

Category 9 products in scope



* Battery powered smoke detector (used in households)

* Battery powered thermostat (used in households)

* Carbon monoxide detector (used in households)

* Weighing equipment except for households

* Chemical analysis equipment such as spectrometers

* Light meter

* pH and conductivity meters

* Chromatograph for chemical analysis

* Equipment for calibration of other products

* Portable digital thermometer

* Surveying instruments

* Voltmeters, ammeters, etc.  not used as components within other products

* X-ray imager for luggage (except those used for national security)

* X-ray imager for examination of internal parts of products

* Spectrum Analysers

* Oscilloscopes

* Network cable tester

* Semiconductor parameter tester

* Signal generator

* Waveform monitor

* Optical power meter

* Roadside traffic warning beacons.  Category 9 as the main function is “control (of traffic)” (not used for illumination therefore not Category 5)

“Monitoring and control”  products where status requires clarification

* Smoke detector as part of alarm system installed in buildings

* Household scales (included in Category 1)

* Burglar alarm systems installed in buildings

* Equipment used to prepare samples for analysis such as grinding equipment, mixers, extraction systems, etc. (tools?)

* Laboratory ovens

* Laboratory centrifuge (tool?)

* Other laboratory equipment such as ultrasonic cleaners, fume hoods, distillation equipment, heating equipment, etc.  (some could be regarded as Category 6)

* Preparative chromatograph (Category 6?)

* Petrol pumps (part of fixed installation, Category 9 or 10?)

* Some types of CCTV monitoring equipment (or Category 3?).