About RoHS Compliance - Frequently Asked Questions
What is RoHS?
RoHS, stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances and was borne via Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Regulations, in the form of a Statutory Instrument titled Environmental Protection - SI 2006 - 1463 restricts the use of six hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products on the EU market to which the RoHS directive applies, must, as of July 1, 2006, pass RoHS compliance.
For a copy of the RoHS directive and regulations, download the following PDF documents:
Directive 2002/95/EC
Environmental Protection - SI 2006 No. 1463.
What materials fall under RoHS restrictions?
Substances that are restricted, or banned, under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
Why is RoHS compliance important?
The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and they pollute the world's landfills. In the workplace, they are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling operations.
How are products tested for RoHS compliance?
Portable RoHS analyzers, also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers, are used for screening and verification of RoHS compliance.
Which companies are affected by the RoHS Directive?
Currently, any business that sells electronic products, sub-assemblies or components directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors or integrators that in turn sell products to EU countries, is impacted if they utilize any of the restricted materials.
Many more companies will be affected than might at first be realized. China, a number of US States, Japan -- plus a host of other nations -- are drafting their own versions of RoHS. See table here.
What is WEEE?
WEEE is the acronym for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment. WEEE, also known as Directive 2002/96/EC, mandates the treatment, recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment. All applicable products in the EU market after August 13, 2006 must pass WEEE compliance and carry the "Wheelie Bin" sticker. For the complete directive, see Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament.
How are RoHS and WEE related?
WEEE compliance aims to encourage the design of electronic products with environmentally-safe recycling and recovery in mind. RoHS compliance dovetails into WEEE by reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals used in electronic manufacture.
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