Apple published Regulated Substances Specification (Version 2016)

In March 2016, Apple, the tech giant, updated Apple Regulated Substances Specification (RSS)069-0135-J. This Regulated Substances Specification describes Apple’s global restrictions on the use of certain chemical substances or materials in Apple’s products, accessories, manufacturing processes, and packaging used for shipping products to Apple’s end-customers. The Specification takes into force on 21 March 2016.

Restrictions are derived from international laws or directives, regulatory agency or ecolabel requirements, and Apple policies. Apple’s restrictions may go beyond regulatory requirements in order to protect human health and the environment.

This specification is not an exhaustive list of all chemicals of concern. Apple suppliers should take action to understand the human health and environmental impacts of all chemicals used in the manufacturing process and present in parts and materials supplied to Apple. Suppliers should take action to reduce or eliminate the use of chemicals of concern listed in this specification as a first step. We hold our suppliers accountable by conducting factory audits, testing components with independent laboratories, and verifying the results at our own in-house laboratory.
The new version includes several changes to the June 2014 version – the first RSS edition to be released to the public.

• Folded the following specifications into 069-0135-J: Apple RoHS Compliance Specification (069-1111), Apple Specification on Restriction of Beryllium (099-3471), and Apple Specification on the Restriction of Bromine and Chlorine (069-1857).
• Added additional asbestos compounds.
• Updated Azo dyes, Arylamines, and Anilines into Appendix A. Updated formaldehyde content restrictions. Updated restrictions for lead. Additional CAS numbers added for Perchlorates. Added Appendix B for Chlorinated Paraffins. Added Appendix C for Organotin compounds, Appendix D for Perfluorinated compounds, Appendix E for Phthalates.
• Lowered the thresholds for PAHs. Lowered the threshold for PCBs.
• Added reporting requirements for benzene, toluene, and chlorinated solvents, proposition 65 list, Washington State’s List of Chemicals of High Concern, and substances allowed due to RoHS exemptions in section 4. Phase out priorities added to all the items in reportable Section 4.
• Added Manufacturing Process restrictions for NMP and Toluene in Section 5.
• Updated content restriction values for Benzene, Chlorinated Organic Solvents, n-Hexane, and Toluene in Section 5.
• Updated Supplementary Specifications.
• Updated Section 7, Demonstrating Compliance. Added testing requirements for manufacturing process chemicals.
• Added Section 9 relating to Full Material Disclosure (FMD).

Test reports are valid for the life of the component provided the component part number and constituent materials have not changed. If the component part number or constituent materials change, it is the supplier’s responsibility to notify Apple or Apple’s manufacturing partners and submit new test reports. Apple or Apple’s manufacturing partners may request renewed test reports on a case-by-case basis, at the supplier’s expense, if there are concerns regarding the validity of the test data or compliance of the parts.