--- title: "Are cables in scope of EU RoHS? Cable evidence, CE marking, and DoC FAQ" canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/cables" source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/cables" author: "Sorena AI" description: "EU RoHS cable FAQ covering when cables are EEE, how internal and external cables are treated, when separate CE marking and a DoC are needed, and what evidence to keep." published_at: "2026-05-09" updated_at: "2026-05-09" keywords: - "EU RoHS cables" - "RoHS cable scope" - "RoHS external cables" - "RoHS internal wires" - "RoHS CE marking" - "RoHS declaration of conformity" - "EU RoHS Directive" - "RoHS cables" - "RoHS technical documentation" --- **[SORENA](https://www.sorena.io/)** - AI-Powered GRC Platform [Home](https://www.sorena.io/) | [Solutions](https://www.sorena.io/solutions) | [Artifacts](https://www.sorena.io/artifacts) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) | [Contact](https://www.sorena.io/contact) | [Portal](https://app.sorena.io) --- # Are cables in scope of EU RoHS? Cable evidence, CE marking, and DoC FAQ EU RoHS cable FAQ covering when cables are EEE, how internal and external cables are treated, when separate CE marking and a DoC are needed, and what evidence to keep. *FAQ* *EU* ## RoHS FAQ cables and evidence EU RoHS treats many electrical-current or electromagnetic-field transfer cables as EEE, but the evidence and CE marking answer changes depending on whether the cable is internal, supplied with EEE, sold separately, optical, or tied to excluded equipment. Use this FAQ to classify cable scope, separate internal-wire evidence from finished-cable obligations, and keep RoHS technical documentation aligned with the cable's actual market placement. Cables are not all handled the same way under EU RoHS. The Directive defines cables as sub-250 V cables used to connect EEE to an outlet or to connect EEE to each other, while Commission FAQ guidance says cables used to transfer electrical currents or electromagnetic fields are generally in scope unless they belong to EEE or a combination of EEE outside RoHS scope. Internal wires and permanently attached cables usually follow the host EEE; separately placed external cables need their own RoHS evidence, CE marking, and EU declaration of conformity when the relevant RoHS obligations apply. ## Are cables within the scope of EU RoHS? Directive 2011/65/EU defines cables as all cables with a rated voltage below 250 V that connect EEE to an electrical outlet or connect two or more EEE to each other. Commission RoHS FAQ guidance adds the practical scope rule: cables used to transfer electrical currents or electromagnetic fields are EEE, unless they specifically belong to EEE or a combination of EEE that is outside RoHS scope. This means a cable scope decision should start with the cable's function and market placement. A power cord, HDMI cable, network cable, cable reel, or cable supplied with equipment may have different evidence and conformity-documentation consequences even when the same restricted-substance limits apply at material level. - Treat electrical-current and electromagnetic-field transfer cables as potentially in scope; document any exclusion by tying the cable to the excluded host EEE or excluded combination. - Do not classify optical cables as EEE under the Commission FAQ's cable guidance; the FAQ says equipment without electrical or electronic parts, including optical cables, is outside RoHS 2 scope. - Use the type and intended use of the cable to place it in a category: the FAQ identifies specialised SCART, HDMI, and network cables as examples in categories 3 or 4, while non-finished cable reels without plugs can fall in category 11. Sources for this answer: - [Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011L0065-20250101&ref=sorena.io) - Binding consolidated RoHS source for cable definitions, scope, substance restrictions, CE marking, and technical-documentation obligations. - [European Commission RoHS 2 FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/pdf/faq_weee.pdf?ref=sorena.io) - Commission FAQ guidance for cable scope, internal wires, external cables, optical cables, categories, and CE/DoC treatment. ## Internal wires, attached cables, and external cables The Commission FAQ draws a clear distinction between internal wires, permanently attached cables, external cables supplied with EEE, and external cables sold separately. Internal wiring in in-scope EEE must meet the RoHS material restrictions like the rest of the equipment, but it is not treated as a separately CE-marked cable product. External cables that are sold together with, marketed for, or shipped for use with an EEE follow the technical requirements of that EEE. Separately placed external cables are treated differently because the cable itself is the product being placed on the market. - For internal wires, keep material-compliance evidence in the host EEE technical file rather than creating a separate RoHS DoC for the wire. - For permanently attached cables, such as typical lamp cables in the FAQ example, apply the same principle as internal wiring and document the host EEE coverage. - For detachable external cables supplied with an EEE, show that the cable is covered by the EEE's RoHS DoC and that the EEE is CE marked. - For separately sold external cables, prepare product-level RoHS evidence, EU declaration of conformity, and CE marking once the applicable RoHS date has passed. Sources for this answer: - [European Commission RoHS 2 FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/pdf/faq_weee.pdf?ref=sorena.io) - Commission FAQ guidance distinguishing internal wires, attached cables, external cables supplied with EEE, and separately placed cables. - [Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011L0065-20250101&ref=sorena.io) - Binding source for manufacturer, importer, distributor, CE marking, EU declaration, and technical-documentation duties. ## What cable evidence should manufacturers keep? Cable evidence should prove both the scope decision and the substance-compliance decision. For scope, keep the rated voltage, connection function, whether the cable transfers electrical current or electromagnetic fields, whether it is optical, whether it is internal or external, and whether it is supplied with or separately placed on the market from the host EEE. For substance compliance, keep material-level evidence because RoHS maximum concentration values apply by homogeneous material. A cable record should therefore separate insulation, jacket, copper conductor, solder, plating, connectors, flame-retardant polymers, and any other separable material or component that affects the restricted-substance assessment. - Record the cable's intended use, host EEE relationship, product category, and whether the cable is covered by the host EEE DoC or needs its own DoC. - Keep supplier material declarations, BOM links, exemption references where used, test or screening rationale, and any lab reports needed for higher-risk cable materials. - Use EN IEC 63000 technical-documentation logic for the evidence package: define what was assessed, why the evidence is reliable, and how supplier or test evidence supports the RoHS declaration. - Review the evidence after supplier, material, connector, coating, flame retardant, plasticizer, or market-placement changes. Sources for this answer: - [Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011L0065-20250101&ref=sorena.io) - Binding source for homogeneous-material concentration values, technical documentation, and EU declaration requirements. - [Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/659 on EN IEC 63000](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2020/659/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Official source identifying EN IEC 63000 as the harmonised RoHS technical-documentation standard. - [IEC 63000:2016 technical documentation standard](https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/25985?ref=sorena.io) - IEC source describing the technical documentation compiled to declare compliance with substance restrictions. ## Cable compliance mistakes to avoid The weak cable record is usually not missing a slogan; it is missing the market-placement fact pattern. A generic supplier RoHS statement does not answer whether the cable is internal, attached, supplied with the EEE, sold separately, optical, tied to excluded equipment, or covered by the host product's DoC. The other common gap is testing at the wrong level. RoHS limits are assessed at homogeneous-material level, so a whole-cable statement should still be traceable to material declarations, supplier evidence, exemptions, or risk-based tests for the separable materials that make up the cable. - Do not give a separately sold external cable only a host-equipment DoC; the Commission FAQ says separately placed external cables need their own RoHS DoC and CE marking from the relevant date. - Do not assign optical cables to RoHS simply because they are called cables; the Commission FAQ says optical cables are not EEE. - Do not treat internal wiring as a separate finished cable product; document material restriction compliance through the host EEE evidence file. - Do not rely on a single cable family declaration after insulation, jacket, connector, plating, solder, supplier, or plasticizer changes. Sources for this answer: - [European Commission RoHS 2 FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/pdf/faq_weee.pdf?ref=sorena.io) - Commission FAQ guidance for cable-specific scope and conformity-documentation mistakes. - [Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 adding phthalates to RoHS Annex II](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dir_del/2015/863/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Binding source for adding DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP to RoHS Annex II, relevant to polymer cable materials. - [Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011L0065-20250101&ref=sorena.io) - Binding source for restricted substances, homogeneous-material limits, exemptions, and economic-operator obligations. ## Primary sources - [Directive 2011/65/EU on restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02011L0065-20250101&ref=sorena.io) - Binding consolidated RoHS source for cable definitions, scope, substance restrictions, CE marking, technical documentation, and EU declaration obligations. - Quote: "cables with a rated voltage of less than 250 volts" - [European Commission RoHS 2 FAQ](https://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/pdf/faq_weee.pdf?ref=sorena.io) - Commission FAQ guidance for cable scope, internal wires, external cables, optical cables, categories, and CE/DoC treatment. - Quote: "Generally from 3 January 2013 cables are in scope" - [Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/659 on EN IEC 63000](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2020/659/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Official source identifying EN IEC 63000 as the harmonised RoHS technical-documentation standard. - Quote: "technical documentation required for assessing materials" - [IEC 63000:2016 technical documentation standard](https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/25985?ref=sorena.io) - IEC source for technical documentation compiled to declare restricted-substance compliance. - Quote: "declare compliance with the applicable substance restrictions" - [Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 adding phthalates to RoHS Annex II](https://data.europa.eu/eli/dir_del/2015/863/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Binding source for the four phthalates added to RoHS Annex II, relevant to polymer cable materials. - Quote: "amending Annex II to Directive 2011/65/EU" ## Topic Guides - [Do Components Need EU RoHS Compliance? | RoHS FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/components.md): RoHS FAQ for components in electrical and electronic equipment: substance restrictions, homogeneous materials, CE marking, technical files, exemptions, and supplier evidence. - [EN IEC 63000 RoHS Technical Documentation](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/en-iec-63000-technical-documentation.md): source-linked guide to EN IEC 63000:2018 technical documentation for EU RoHS, including manufacturer duties, evidence records, harmonised-standard status, and file maintenance. - [EU RoHS Annex III and IV exemptions guide](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/annex-iii-and-iv-exemptions.md): How to use, renew, or challenge EU RoHS Annex III and Annex IV exemptions, with Article 5 criteria, timing rules, and evidence requirements. - [EU RoHS Applicability Test for EEE Scope](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/applicability-test.md): Decide whether EU RoHS applies to electrical and electronic equipment, cables, spare parts, exclusions, exemptions, CE marking, and evidence records. - [EU RoHS CE Marking and Declaration of Conformity](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/ce-and-doc.md): source-linked guide to RoHS CE marking, EU Declaration of Conformity, technical documentation, EN IEC 63000, and importer or distributor checks. - [EU RoHS compliance checklist for EEE](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/checklist.md): Checklist for EU RoHS scope, restricted substances, homogeneous materials, exemptions, CE marking, technical documentation, and supplier evidence. - [EU RoHS Compliance Guide for EEE](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/compliance.md): Practical EU RoHS compliance guide for electrical and electronic equipment: scope, restricted substances, exemptions, CE marking, technical documentation, and supplier evidence. - [EU RoHS Deadlines and Compliance Calendar](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): source-linked RoHS calendar for scope phase-ins, phthalate dates, exemption renewals, spare-parts cutoffs, EN IEC 63000, CE files, and review triggers. - [EU RoHS Declarations vs Lab Tests FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/declarations-vs-lab-tests.md): When supplier declarations can support EU RoHS technical documentation, when IEC 62321 lab testing is stronger evidence, and how to document the decision. - [EU RoHS Directive FAQ: scope, substances, CE marking](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq.md): Practical EU RoHS Directive FAQ covering EEE scope, Annex II substance limits, cables, spare parts, technical documentation, CE marking, and exemptions. - [EU RoHS EEE Categories and Open Scope](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/eee-categories-and-open-scope.md): Map products to EU RoHS EEE categories, category 11 open scope, Article 2 exclusions, cables, spare parts, and evidence needed for RoHS scope decisions. - [EU RoHS for medical devices and monitoring equipment](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/medical-devices-and-monitoring-equipment.md): RoHS category 8 and 9 guide covering application dates, Annex IV exemptions, phthalates, spare parts, CE marking, declarations, and technical documentation. - [EU RoHS penalties and fines: Member State sanctions](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/penalties-and-fines.md): source-linked guide to EU RoHS penalty exposure: national sanctions, no EU-wide fine table, CE marking misuse, corrective actions, recalls, and evidence records. - [EU RoHS Phthalates: DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/phthalates.md): source-linked RoHS guide to DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP: 0.1% homogeneous-material limits, 2019 and 2021 application dates, exemptions, evidence, and testing standards. - [EU RoHS requirements for EEE, substances, and CE evidence](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/requirements.md): Practical EU RoHS requirements guide covering EEE scope, Annex II substance limits, exemptions, technical documentation, EU declaration of conformity, CE marking, and operator evidence. - [EU RoHS Restricted Substances and Thresholds | Annex II Limits](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/restricted-substances-and-thresholds.md): EU RoHS Annex II restricted substances and maximum concentration values by weight in homogeneous materials, including cadmium's 0.01% limit and the 0.1% limits for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, PBDE, DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP. - [EU RoHS Spare Parts: Repair and Reuse](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/spare-parts.md): source-linked RoHS spare-parts guide covering Article 4 repair parts, reused recovered parts, closed-loop conditions, phthalate carve-outs, CE evidence, and cutoff dates. - [EU RoHS test plan selection workflow](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/test-plan-selection-workflow.md): Choose RoHS supplier evidence, EN IEC 63000 technical documentation, and IEC 62321 testing without over-testing or under-documenting restricted substances. - [How should RoHS lead, mercury, and cadmium exemptions be documented? | RoHS FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/lead-mercury-and-cadmium-exemptions.md): RoHS FAQ on documenting lead, mercury, and cadmium exemptions with Annex III or IV entries, material-level limits, expiry status, supplier evidence, and technical documentation. - [RoHS BOM evidence intake workflow](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/bom-evidence-intake-workflow.md): Build a RoHS BOM evidence intake process for EEE: map parts to homogeneous materials, collect supplier declarations, handle exemptions, and feed EN IEC 63000 technical documentation. - [RoHS exemption register workflow: expiry, renewal, evidence](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/exemption-register-workflow.md): Build a RoHS exemption register that tracks Annex III and IV entries, product scope, expiry dates, renewal status, evidence owners, and Commission source links. - [RoHS exemptions tracker guide: fields, evidence, gates](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-exemptions-tracker-guide.md): Build a RoHS exemptions tracker for Annex III and IV claims, renewal timing, supplier evidence, EN IEC 63000 documentation, and release decisions. - [RoHS Exemptions Tracking Register](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/exemptions-tracking.md): Track EU RoHS Annex III and IV exemptions by material, component, category, expiry date, renewal status, Article 5 rationale, and evidence record. - [RoHS Homogeneous Material Definition and Limits](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/homogeneous-material.md): Plain-English EU RoHS FAQ on homogeneous materials, Annex II thresholds, coatings, cables, assemblies, and evidence needed for material-level RoHS decisions. - [RoHS Homogeneous Material Thresholds](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/homogeneous-material-thresholds.md): EU RoHS guide to homogeneous material thresholds: 0.1% limits, the 0.01% cadmium limit, material splitting, coatings, samples, exemptions, and technical evidence. - [RoHS importer checks for imported EEE before EU market placement](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/imported-eee.md): Importer-focused RoHS FAQ covering CE marking, EU declaration of conformity, technical documentation availability, importer identity, nonconformity handling, and 10-year DoC retention. - [RoHS Risk-Based Testing Guide](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/risk-based-testing.md): source-linked EU RoHS guide to risk-based testing, EN IEC 63000 documentation, IEC 62321 methods, supplier evidence, and technical-file decisions. - [RoHS Supplier Change Control Workflow](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/supplier-change-control-workflow.md): source-linked EU RoHS supplier change control workflow for part substitutions, material changes, supplier declarations, testing decisions, and technical-file updates. - [RoHS Supplier Declaration Template](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-supplier-declaration-template.md): source-linked EU RoHS supplier declaration template guidance for collecting material evidence, exemption claims, test records, and EN IEC 63000 technical-file inputs. - [RoHS Supplier Declarations and Verification Guide](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/supplier-declarations-and-verification.md): Build a RoHS supplier evidence file without confusing supplier declarations with manufacturer EU DoC, CE marking, technical documentation, or importer checks. - [RoHS Supplier Declarations Guide](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/supplier-declarations.md): Use RoHS supplier declarations as supporting evidence for BOM, material, exemption, and technical-file reviews without replacing manufacturer EU DoC or CE duties. - [RoHS technical documentation, EU DoC and CE marking](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/technical-documentation-and-ce.md): source-linked guide to RoHS technical documentation, EN IEC 63000 evidence, EU declarations of conformity, CE marking, and manufacturer, importer and distributor duties. - [RoHS Timeline: practical guide](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/timeline.md): EU RoHS Directive guide to Timeline with scope decisions, owner actions, evidence records, source-linked citations, and practical next steps. - [RoHS vs Batteries Regulation scope comparison](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-vs-batteries-regulation.md): RoHS-focused comparison explaining when RoHS applies to EEE, why batteries sit outside RoHS, and what evidence should not be reused without separate battery-law support. - [RoHS vs LVD/EMC CE evidence: what belongs in the RoHS file](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-vs-lvd-emc-ce-evidence.md): Compare RoHS substance evidence with separate LVD and EMC CE evidence streams, using RoHS-grounded scope, technical file, DoC, CE marking, exemption, and supplier records. - [RoHS vs POPs for EEE substance compliance](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-vs-pops.md): Compare EU RoHS and POPs obligations for electrical and electronic equipment: scope, substances, evidence, CE files, exemptions, waste overlap, and source-linked decision rules. - [RoHS vs REACH for electronics: scope, evidence, overlap](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-vs-reach.md): Compare EU RoHS and REACH for electrical and electronic equipment: scope, restricted substances, evidence, CE marking, exemptions, and overlap decisions. - [RoHS vs WEEE: EU electronics compliance comparison](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-vs-weee.md): Compare EU RoHS restricted-substance duties with WEEE end-of-life recycling obligations, with RoHS scope, evidence, CE marking, exemptions, and source-linked decision points. - [RoHS, REACH, POPs, and batteries overlap](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/reach-pop-and-batteries-overlap.md): source-linked RoHS comparison guide for separating EEE hazardous-substance restrictions from REACH, POPs, battery, waste, and technical-file workstreams. - [What do the 0.1% and 0.01% substance limits mean under EU RoHS? | RoHS FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/0-1-and-0-01-limits.md): RoHS FAQ explaining why most Annex II substances use a 0.1% homogeneous-material limit while cadmium uses 0.01%. - [What should teams do before a RoHS exemption expires? | RoHS FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/exemption-expiry.md): How to handle EU RoHS exemption expiry: confirm the Annex entry, renewal deadline, pending-decision status, fallback plan, and technical-file evidence. - [When can RoHS spare parts use transition rules? | RoHS FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/spare-parts.md): EU RoHS FAQ on spare parts, repair parts, reused parts, closed-loop B2B reuse, legacy EEE cutoffs, Annex III and IV exemptions, and evidence to keep. - [Which EEE is in scope under EU RoHS? | RoHS FAQ](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/eee-scope.md): EU RoHS scope FAQ explaining when a product is electrical and electronic equipment, which Article 2 exclusions to check, and what evidence to keep. *Recommended next step* *Placement: after implementation section* ## Use this RoHS guide as a cited evidence workflow Turn this EU RoHS Directive page into a repeatable workflow for product, legal, quality, procurement, support, and engineering teams. Keep citations, owners, evidence, and review triggers together. - [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Answer RoHS scope, timing, and interpretation questions with cited outputs. - [Talk through implementation](/contact.md): Review your scope, evidence model, controls, and next actions. --- [Privacy Policy](https://www.sorena.io/privacy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.sorena.io/terms-of-use) | [DMCA](https://www.sorena.io/dmca) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) (c) 2026 Sorena AB (559573-7338). All rights reserved. Source: https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq/cables