RoHS Directive

The European RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is being revised: from June 2027, a comprehensive ban on lead for certain applications will come into force. The new regulation may also have implications for the use of bright steel in electrical components.

Companies that use bright steel in components for electrical applications should therefore familiarise themselves with the requirements of the upcoming RoHS amendment at an early stage.

Which bright steel applications are affected by the RoHS amendment?

Whether the new RoHS regulation applies depends largely on the end use of the bright steel components.

The following are affected:

• Bright steel components that are electrically actuated
• Components used in electrical or electronic systems

The following are not affected:

• Bright steel components used exclusively for mechanical purposes

As we are currently receiving an increasing number of enquiries regarding the RoHS Directive and the lead ban, particularly from Southern Europe, we would like to inform you about the situation at an early stage and outline possible solutions.

Possible alternatives to lead-containing bright steel

To ensure future RoHS compliance of materials, it is advisable to review the chemical composition of the materials used at an early stage in collaboration with suppliers.

Various alternatives to traditional lead-containing materials are currently being discussed, including:

• Bismuth (Bi) alloys as a lead substitute
• Calcium/aluminium (Ca/Al) alloys
• Boron (B) alloys
• so-called ‘Pb-Light’ variants with a lead content below the RoHS declaration threshold of 0.10% (e.g. 0.04–0.09%)

Which material solution is suitable depends on the specific application, the technical requirements and the processing conditions.

Support with the transition to RoHS-compliant materials

If your products are affected by the upcoming RoHS amendment banning lead, we would be happy to assist you in evaluating possible solutions. This includes, amongst other things:

• Assessment of feasible processing volumes,
• Advice on alternative bright steel materials,
• and support with the transition to RoHS-compliant materials.

If you have any questions regarding the RoHS Directive, the lead ban or suitable bright steel alternatives, please feel free to contact us at any time.