ROhS Directive

Great question Gustavo! It would be great to know this, because they do not specify it on the Healthcare Supplement.

I can do some more research into RoHS applicability in LEED later today. But when i do the math, the RoHS standard is lead can't be more than .1% where the LEED standard is 300 ppm or .0003%. It looks to me like the LEED standard is more stringent.

Copper might comply then, I looked at the lead piece. For me, when I'm asking GBCI to consider a new standard it is important to watch the thresholds and ensure that the standards is not being diminished.

I was over on the International alternative compliance thread today and came across a great link that may help. This is the matrix for credits that have an ACP. They do have HC in the matrix but this particular credit is not one where a pathway exists. If you feel like this is an oversight, you can do some legwork, gather information on both programs, create a matrix and work with the GBCI on this gap.

http://www.usgbc.org/sites/default/files/LEED%202009%20List%20of%20ACPs.pdf

Did anything come of this? I have product documentation from the manufacture confirming content in compliance with RoHS. Have we determined that this lead content still will not meet the LEED credit?

It's a good question. RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) primarily focuses on restricting the use of hazardous substances in electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). On the other hand, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building certification program that covers a broad spectrum of sustainable practices in building design, construction, and operation. I am not familiar with the current LEED requirements. However, here are the currently restricted chemicals under the European Union RoHS: cadmium, hexavalent chromium, lead, mercury, and their compounds, two brominated families (PBBs and PBDEs), and more recently, four phthalates (BBP, DBP, DEHP, and DIBP). PBBs and PBDEs are at risk of being present in cables as they serve as flame retardants. BBP, DBP, DEHP, and DIBP phthalates are flame retardants in plastics, including PVC.

Importantly, RoHS applies at the so-called homogeneous materials level. In short, every material composing a cable must meet the threshold of 0.1 % weight by weight (w/w). This limit of 0.1% applies to every material except for cadmium, ten times lower at 0.01%.

RoHS testing of chemicals will help you determine the actual concentration of lead compounds or any other in-scope hazardous substances in building cables.

While RoHS compliance does indicate a commitment to reducing hazardous substances in electronic products, it is not directly applicable to meeting LEED credit requirements. In the context of LEED, cable and wiring products contribute to credits primarily through compliance with specific criteria related to material selection, such as recycled content, regional materials, and low-emitting materials.

In summary, while RoHS compliance demonstrates a commitment to reducing hazardous substances, it is not a direct or sufficient approach for meeting LEED credit requirements. To meet LEED criteria, you should explore additional aspects related to the environmental and social impacts of materials like cables.

I hope these details will help someone. Thanks for inquiring!

Without RoHS compliance, we’d be stacking up dangerous e-waste. It forces manufacturers to play by the rules and avoid harmful substances in every part, from your phone’s motherboard to your laptop's screen. Plus, it’s not just an EU thing; a lot of countries have their own RoHS rules now.

https://krishnametlab.com/rohs-compliance-testing-certification/