XRF (X-Ray Fluorescence) Screening

X-ray fluorescence (XRF) is an analytical technique used for non-destructive screening of elemental content in materials. Under IEC 62321-3-1 (portable XRF) and IEC 62321-3-2 (laboratory XRF), XRF is the primary screening method for detecting lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), total chromium (Cr — cannot distinguish hexavalent from trivalent), and total bromine (Br — cannot distinguish PBBs from PBDEs or other brominated compounds) in EEE components and materials. XRF is rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective, making it the first-pass compliance screening tool across supply chains. It cannot detect phthalates (organic compounds) or hexavalent chromium specifically.

IEC 62321-3-1:2013 (portable XRF); IEC 62321-3-2:2013 (laboratory XRF); EN IEC 63000:2018 (references IEC 62321 for testing).

XRF screening is standard practice in EEE supply chain compliance programmes and at port-of-entry market surveillance inspections. A positive XRF screen (element detected above threshold) triggers confirmatory testing by wet chemistry (ICP-MS, ICP-OES, AAS for metals; GC-MS for bromine speciation). A negative XRF screen (all elements below detection limits) is typically accepted as sufficient evidence for those substances. Manufacturers and third-party testing laboratories should verify XRF calibration against certified reference materials and understand the limitations (matrix effects, coating thickness limitations).