Restriction of Hazardous Substances

Every cable you install will stay in a building for years. Eventually, it will be pulled out and recycled or thrown away. What it's made of matters at both ends of that journey. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive, known as RoHS, limits toxic materials in electrical and electronic products. TS Cables offers RoHS-compliant cabling and connectivity products that keep harmful substances out of your network. They're safer for installers, building occupants, and the environment, and they help you meet strict buyer requirements at home and abroad.

What Is RoHS?

RoHS is a European Union directive that first took effect in 2006. It restricts certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The current version, often called RoHS 2, is Directive 2011/65/EU. A later update, Directive 2015/863, added four more substances to the list. Our blog on RoHS compliance walks through its history.

Although RoHS is an EU law, its reach is global. Any manufacturer that wants to sell electronics in Europe has to comply. Many countries, including China, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates, have adopted similar rules. In the United States, California runs its own program for certain electronic devices. As a result, RoHS has become a worldwide benchmark for cleaner products.

The Ten Restricted Substances

RoHS sets maximum limits for ten substances. Most are capped at 0.1 percent by weight in any uniform material. Cadmium has a much tighter limit of 0.01 percent.

Heavy Metals

Lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium make up the first group. Lead was once common in solder and in some cable jackets. Cadmium showed up in pigments and coatings. All four can harm the nervous system, kidneys, or lungs with long exposure.

Flame Retardants

Polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, known as PBB and PBDE, were used to slow fires in plastics. They can build up in the body and the environment, so RoHS limits them.

Phthalates

The 2015 update added four phthalates: DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DIBP. These chemicals soften plastics such as PVC cable jackets. Research links them to hormone problems, so their use is now limited.

Why RoHS Compliance Matters

Cables go everywhere, from office ceilings to classroom walls. RoHS-compliant products cut the risk of toxic exposure for installers who handle cable every day. They also reduce the harm when old cable reaches a landfill or recycling plant. Read more about the environmental impact of Ethernet cables.

Compliance carries business value too. Many corporate buyers, schools, and government agencies require RoHS compliant products in their contracts. Federal jobs often add TAA rules too, as our post on RoHS and TAA compliance explains. Green building programs often look for low-toxicity materials. Exporters face the strictest test of all, since non-compliant goods can be stopped at the European border. Choosing compliant cable up front keeps those doors open.

RoHS Compliant Cables at TS Cables

Turnstone Cables supplies installers, resellers, and IT teams who care about what goes into their networks. Our RoHS compliant collection includes cabling and connectivity products made without restricted substances above legal limits. Each product page lists the key specs, from category rating to jacket type, so you can match it to your project. Many of these cables also come from ISO 9001 certified production lines.

Documentation for Your Projects

Some clients want written proof before they sign off. Our team will share compliance details for the products you order. That makes bids, audits, and sustainability reports easier to finish.

Talk to Our Team

Have a question about a specific cable? Call sales at (301) 836-1195 or support at (301) 825-9890. You can also email sales@tscables.com for bulk pricing and quotes. We ship from Maryland, California, and Kansas to keep projects moving on time.

Build a Cleaner Network From the Ground Up

Safer materials don't have to cost you speed or reliability. RoHS compliant cables from TS Cables deliver solid performance while keeping hazardous substances out of your building. Browse the collection or our plenum Ethernet cables today, and choose a network you can feel good about for years to come.