RoHS Compliance
When the RoHS Directive applies to brass parts in electrical & electronic equipment — and how exemption 6(c) and lead-free grades keep you compliant.
At a glance
What is RoHS?
The RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU, amended by (EU) 2015/863) restricts the use of ten hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) placed on the EU market. The restricted substances are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE flame retardants, and the four phthalates DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP. Each is capped at 0.1% by weight in any homogeneous material — except cadmium, capped at 0.01%.
When does RoHS apply to brass?
RoHS becomes relevant once a brass component is built into a finished EEE product — for example a brass terminal on a circuit-board assembly, a connector housing inside a consumer appliance, or a brass contact within a switchgear assembly. At that point the whole product must meet RoHS, and each material in it is assessed.
Standard CW617N brass contains roughly 3% lead, which exceeds the 0.1% limit. The RoHS Directive addresses this through Annex III exemption 6(c), which permits lead up to 4% by weight in copper alloys used in EEE, recognising that no lead-free alternative yet matches leaded brass for machinability across all applications. Lead-free grades avoid the question entirely.
RoHS status by material
| Material | Lead content | RoHS route (inside EEE) |
|---|---|---|
| CW617N — CuZn40Pb2 | ~3% Pb | Exemption 6(c) |
| CW602N — CuZn36Pb2As (DZR) | ~2% Pb | Exemption 6(c) |
| CW724R — silicon brass | <0.1% Pb | Compliant — no exemption |
| C11000 — ETP copper | None | Compliant — no exemption |
Exemption 6(c) — status & timeline
Exemption 6(c) is reviewed and renewed periodically by the European Commission. It was most recently extended to 30 June 2027. Industry submitted a further renewal application at the end of 2025, so under the RoHS Directive the exemption remains valid pending the Commission's decision — which can take additional time beyond the nominal expiry. For long-lifecycle EEE designs, it is prudent to plan a lead-free transition rather than rely indefinitely on the exemption. Always confirm the current status for your product category at the source below.
Getting RoHS-ready brass parts
Is it going into EEE?
Tell us whether the part will be built into electrical or electronic equipment — that decides whether RoHS applies at all.
Exemption or lead-free
Use leaded brass under exemption 6(c), or specify CW724R / C11000 to be compliant with no exemption dependency.
Declaration of Conformity
We issue a RoHS Declaration of Conformity with the material data — typically the same business day on request.
Common questions
Are brass fittings RoHS compliant?
When does RoHS exemption 6(c) expire?
Which Brassland grades are RoHS lead-free?
Do you provide a RoHS declaration?
Verify against the primary source
The regulatory data summarised on this page is cross-referenced against the publishers below. Always confirm requirements against the current published text before relying on this summary.
Last reviewed: June 2026 · maintained by the Brassland compliance team. RoHS exemptions are reviewed and renewed periodically; the official EU text always prevails — verify the current expiry for your product category at the source. General guidance, not legal advice.
Need a RoHS declaration?
Declarations of Conformity, material data and test reports — typically available the same business day.