CT Environment & Compliance – RoHS

RoHS

"Restriction of use of certain Hazardous Substances."

Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment regulates the use of hazardous substances in equipment, thereby indirectly regulating the use of components themselves. In Germany, it was implemented into national law as the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG). In the context of the massive growth of disposable electronic products, its purpose is to ban the use of extremely problematic components in these products. This includes the implementation of lead-free soldering in electronic components, a ban on the use of toxic flame retardants in the production of cables as well as the promotion of suitable substitute products. Furthermore, the parts and components used must themselves be free of the relevant substances.

Countries around the world such as Switzerland, Turkey, California, China and Korea have also enacted regulations similar to RoHS. This has significant consequences for the electrical and electronics industry as both imported components as well as products exported from the EU are affected by the various regulations in the individual countries.

RoHS V 2.0

Following extensive consultations, the Commission submitted a proposed new edition of the RoHS Directive. Electronics and electrical manufacturers and their suppliers have engaged intensively with this Recast Directive (RoHS V2.0), particularly in view of the expanded scope of RoHS V2.0. It was voted on by the European Parliament in December 2010.

Additional information from external websites
EU Law and Publications