--- title: "EU RoHS Timeline: RoHS 1 (2002) -> RoHS 2 (2011/2013) -> Open Scope (2019) -> Phthalates (2019/2021)" canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/timeline" source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/timeline" author: "Sorena AI" description: "A date-by-date EU RoHS timeline for implementers: RoHS 1 (2002), RoHS 2 recast and transposition (2011 - 2013)." published_at: "2026-02-21" updated_at: "2026-02-21" keywords: - "EU RoHS timeline" - "RoHS open scope 22 July 2019" - "RoHS staged applicability 2014 2017 2019" - "RoHS phthalates 22 July 2019" - "RoHS phthalates 22 July 2021" - "RoHS 2011/65/EU history" - "RoHS exemptions renewal timeline" - "RoHS timeline" - "Open scope 2019" - "Phthalates 2019/2021" - "Exemptions lifecycle" - "RoHS staged applicability" --- **[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) --- # EU RoHS Timeline: RoHS 1 (2002) -> RoHS 2 (2011/2013) -> Open Scope (2019) -> Phthalates (2019/2021) A date-by-date EU RoHS timeline for implementers: RoHS 1 (2002), RoHS 2 recast and transposition (2011 - 2013). *RoHS* *Timeline* ## EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) Timeline The dates you must know - and what changed. Use this timeline to set cutovers, plan supplier re-verification, and avoid exemption expiry surprises. RoHS has multiple timelines running at once: (1) the legal evolution from RoHS 1 to the RoHS 2 recast, (2) staged applicability dates by EEE category, (3) substance list updates, especially the phthalates, and (4) exemptions that expire and must be renewed on time. This page collects the key dates and explains what to do at each inflection point. ## 2002 - 2013: RoHS 1 to RoHS 2 (recast) and national implementation RoHS began as Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS 1). Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) recast the regime, updated scope, and set the modern exemptions process. Operational impact: by the time RoHS 2 took effect via national law, companies needed repeatable evidence packs, not one-time declarations. - By 2 January 2013: Member States adopt and publish transposition measures - 3 January 2013: RoHS 1 repealed; RoHS 2 framework becomes the baseline - 2013 onward: technical documentation, DoC, and CE marking expectations become the practical enforcement surface ## 2014 and 2017: staged category applicability expands (medical and monitoring) RoHS staged some categories into scope. Treat the staged dates as hard ship gates for those categories: you must have a defensible RoHS position for products first placed on the EU market after the relevant date. Use these dates to plan supplier re-verification, targeted testing, and technical file readiness ahead of time. - 22 July 2014: medical devices enter RoHS scope via staged applicability - 22 July 2016: in vitro diagnostic medical devices enter RoHS scope - 22 July 2017: industrial monitoring and control instruments enter RoHS scope - Practical action: pre-stage evidence packs for high-risk plastics, cables, coatings, and components ## 2019: open scope and the big classification shift RoHS moved to open scope for remaining EEE in Category 11 and staged additional products into scope from 22 July 2019. This is where many companies first discover that their non-EEE assumption was wrong. Operational action: run an applicability sweep across product lines, classify into Annex I categories, and create a defensible exclusions record where applicable. - 22 July 2019: open scope and remaining EEE staged into scope - Supplier impact: update contract clauses and evidence requirements (declarations + change notification) - Evidence impact: homogeneous material mapping becomes essential at portfolio scale ## 2019 and 2021: RoHS 3 phthalates restrictions (two cutovers) Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 added four phthalates (DEHP, BBP, DBP, DIBP) to the restricted substances list (Annex II) with staged applicability dates. This is often the highest-risk RoHS change for plastics and cables. Action: schedule supplier re-declarations and targeted testing ahead of each cutover, then enforce it as a release gate. - 22 July 2019: phthalates restrictions apply for most EEE - 22 July 2021: phthalates restrictions apply for medical devices + monitoring/control instruments - Carve-outs exist for certain cables/spare parts used to repair/reuse/update older equipment (placed on the market before the cutover dates) ## Ongoing: exemptions renewals and annex updates never stop Annex III/IV exemptions are time-limited and require proactive renewal dossiers. RoHS sets a strict renewal deadline (>=18 months before expiry) and defines what happens if a renewal is rejected (phase-out window). Treat exemptions as expiring risk: if an exemption disappears, your redesign path and supplier qualification plan must already exist. - Renewal submitted >=18 months before expiry; exemption remains valid until decision - Current Commission guidance says decisions typically take 18 to 24 months from application - If renewal rejected/revoked: expect 12 - 18 months to phase out (plan redesign capacity) - Track exemptions operationally (expiry alerts, product mapping, and evidence packs) *Recommended next step* *Placement: after the timeline or milestone section* ## Turn EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) Timeline into an operational assessment Assessment Autopilot can take EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) Timeline from planning deadlines, owners, and milestones from this page to a reusable workflow inside Sorena. Teams working on EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) can keep owners, evidence, and next steps aligned without copying this guide into separate documents. - [Open Assessment Autopilot for EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) Timeline](/solutions/assessment.md): Start from EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) Timeline and turn the guidance into owned tasks, evidence requests, and review checkpoints. - [Talk through EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU)](/contact.md): Review your current process, evidence gaps, and next steps for EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) Timeline. ## Primary sources - [Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) consolidated (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02011L0065-20250101&ref=sorena.io) - Primary source for staged applicability dates and exemptions renewal timing. - [Delegated Directive (EU) 2015/863 (RoHS 3 phthalates) (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32015L0863&ref=sorena.io) - Sets staged applicability dates for phthalates restrictions (2019/2021). - [Directive (EU) 2017/2102 amending RoHS 2 (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32017L2102&ref=sorena.io) - Amends scope and exemptions aspects of the RoHS 2 framework. - [RoHS FAQ and key guidance (European Commission, DG Environment)](https://environment.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-01/FAQ%20key%20guidance%20document%20-%20RoHS.pdf?ref=sorena.io) - Practical guidance for implementation and common edge cases. - [Commission Notice 2022/C 262/04 - RoHS implementation guidance (EUR-Lex)](https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52022XC0628%2804%29&ref=sorena.io) - Commission-level notice on RoHS implementation (use for interpretive guidance alongside the directive text). ## Related Topic Guides - [EU RoHS FAQ (Scope, Exemptions, Phthalates, Technical File, CE) | RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/faq.md): High-signal EU RoHS FAQ grounded in official sources: what counts as EEE, staged applicability (22 July 2014/2017/2019). - [Restricted Substances and Thresholds | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | Homogeneous Material Limits (0.1% / 0.01%) + Phthalates (2015/863)](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/restricted-substances-and-thresholds.md): A practical RoHS restricted substances guide for Directive 2011/65/EU: the 10 substances in Annex II, homogeneous material threshold logic (0.1% for most. - [RoHS Applicability Test | Is My Product In Scope of EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU? | EEE, Cables, Spare Parts, Open Scope](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/applicability-test.md): A structured EU RoHS applicability test for Directive 2011/65/EU: determine if your product is electrical and electronic equipment (EEE). - [RoHS Compliance Checklist | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | Supplier Evidence, Exemptions, EN IEC 63000 Technical File](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/checklist.md): An audit-ready RoHS compliance checklist for Directive 2011/65/EU: scope and EEE category mapping. - [RoHS Compliance Program | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU Implementation Playbook | Supplier Controls, Exemptions, Evidence](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/compliance.md): A practical RoHS compliance program playbook for Directive 2011/65/EU: set up governance, map homogeneous material risks across your BOM. - [RoHS Deadlines and Compliance Calendar (2013, 2014, 2017, 2019, 2021) | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): A RoHS compliance calendar you can actually operationalize: staged applicability dates (22 July 2014/2017/2019). - [RoHS Enforcement, Penalties, and Fines | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (Member State rules)](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/penalties-and-fines.md): What EU RoHS enforcement looks like in practice: market surveillance checks, documentation requests, CE marking scrutiny. - [RoHS Exemptions Tracker Guide | How to Build an Exemption Register (Annex III/IV), Link to BOM, Monitor Expiry](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-exemptions-tracker-guide.md): A practical guide to building a RoHS exemptions tracker: recommended tracker fields (exemption reference, exact wording, scope conditions. - [RoHS Exemptions Tracking | Directive 2011/65/EU Annex III and Annex IV | Expiry Risk, Evidence, Renewal Strategy](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/exemptions-tracking.md): A practical RoHS exemptions tracking guide for Directive 2011/65/EU: how Annex III and Annex IV exemptions work. - [RoHS Requirements | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | Substance Restrictions (Annex II), Exemptions (Annex III/IV), CE Evidence](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/requirements.md): A practical RoHS requirements breakdown for Directive 2011/65/EU: restricted substances thresholds in homogeneous materials (Annex II). - [RoHS Supplier Declaration Template | Annex II Substances, Homogeneous Material Coverage, Exemptions Disclosure](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-supplier-declaration-template.md): A practical RoHS supplier declaration template for Directive 2011/65/EU. - [RoHS vs REACH | What's the Difference? | EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU vs REACH Regulation (EC) 1907/2006](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/rohs-vs-reach.md): A practical RoHS vs REACH guide: RoHS (Directive 2011/65/EU) restricts specific substances in EEE above thresholds in homogeneous materials and is tied to CE. - [Supplier Declarations and Verification | RoHS Compliance Program | Supplier Questionnaires, Change Control, Risk-Based Testing](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/supplier-declarations-and-verification.md): A practical supplier evidence playbook for EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. - [Technical Documentation and CE | RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU | EN IEC 63000, EU Declaration of Conformity, Evidence Vault](/artifacts/eu/rohs-directive/technical-documentation-and-ce.md): A practical RoHS technical documentation guide for Directive 2011/65/EU. --- [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). 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