RoHS 2.0 (Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment) requires strict control of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic products, including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). In actual testing, two or more instruments are usually required for analysis. The main reasons are as follows:

1. Different substances have different detection principles
The chemical properties of hazardous substances controlled by RoHS 2.0 vary greatly, and a single instrument cannot cover all items:

X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (XRF):

Purpose: Rapid screening of heavy metal elements such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), chromium (Cr).

Limitations:

Only the total amount of elements can be detected, and the valence state cannot be distinguished (such as hexavalent chromium vs trivalent chromium).

Low sensitivity to light elements (such as bromine), making it difficult to accurately detect brominated flame retardants (PBBs/PBDEs).

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) or liquid chromatography (HPLC):

Application: Detection of organic compounds (such as PBBs, PBDEs).

Limitations: Inability to analyze inorganic elements (such as heavy metals).

Ultraviolet visible spectrophotometer (UV-Vis) or ion chromatography (IC):

Application: Specialized detection of hexavalent chromium (quantitative analysis after chemical extraction is required).

2. Different detection methods required by regulations
RoHS testing must comply with international standards (such as IEC 62321), and standard methods for different substances require different instruments:

Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr):

First screened by XRF, then accurately quantified by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer) or ICP-MS (inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer).

Hexavalent chromium: Requires chemical extraction and detection by UV-Vis or IC.

Brominated flame retardants: GC-MS or HPLC analysis is required.

3. Improve detection accuracy and reliability
Cross-validation: For example, after XRF screening, use ICP-MS to confirm the heavy metal content to avoid false positives/false negatives.

Sensitivity requirements: The limit value of cadmium (Cd) (100ppm) is much lower than that of lead (1000ppm), and a higher precision instrument (such as ICP-MS) is required.

4. Optimization of actual workflow
Rapid screening stage: Use XRF non-destructive testing to efficiently screen suspicious samples.

Precise confirmation stage: For samples that exceed the screening standard, use chemical analysis instruments (such as GC-MS, ICP-OES) for destructive testing to ensure compliance with the results.

Summary
RoHS 2.0 testing requires the use of multiple instruments, mainly because:

Various types of substances (elements + organic compounds);

Different detection principles (elemental analysis vs molecular analysis);

Regulatory method requirements (such as hexavalent chromium requires special treatment);

Ensure data accuracy (screening + confirmation dual process).

For example:

XRF + GC-MS: Covers heavy metals and brominated flame retardants.

ICP-OES + UV-Vis: Accurate analysis of heavy metals and hexavalent chromium.

This combination can improve efficiency while meeting the strict compliance requirements of RoHS.

So if you want to buy a RoHS2.0 test equipment , you need to use two instruments in combination to meet the ten hazardous substance tests of RoHS2.0.