“Member states shall ensure that, from 1 July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market does not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PDBE).” - RoHS Directive

The main purpose of the RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive is to protect human health and the environment by acting as a complimentary document to the WEEE directive. RoHS covers all of the same products and equipment that are covered in WEEE, in addition to medical devices, monitoring, control and test equipment that are exempt under the WEEE directive.

The RoHS directive set forth by the European Union in January, 2003 affects manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electronics and electronic equipment containing Lead, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE). This means that regardless of whether you manufacture a product or simply import it for sale in Europe, you’re responsible for making sure it contains less than the allowable maximum concentration value of Lead and any other substance included in the RoHS directive .

Electronics & Electronic Equipment Covered by RoHS

• Large Household Appliances
• Small Household Appliances
• IT & Telecom Equipment
• Consumer Electronics
• Lighting
• Electrical Tools
• Toys & Sports Equipment

Similar to WEEE, RoHS allows for a select few exemptions in its scope.

• Mercury in fluorescent lamps
• Lead in the glass of cathode ray tubes
• Lead in electronic ceramic parts
• Hexavalent chromium as an anti-corrosion material in absorption refrigerators
• Spare parts for electronics and electronic equipment sold prior to July 1, 2006

RoHS is to be used as a basis for the member states of the European Union to establish effective and consistent guidelines for dealing with hazardous substances contained in electronics and electronic equipment available to the public. Compliance to RoHS and certification is to be determined by the member states but these member states must have their guidelines implemented by July 1, 2006 or face penalties. The exact nature and severity of those penalties is still to be finalized and there is no prescribed method to demonstrate compliance other than declaration and certification of compliance from suppliers and self-testing. So, currently, it appears that we are on the ‘honor system’ in terms of RoHS compliance, however, an enforcement authority will be established and authorized to conduct tests to confirm compliance and the last thing anyone needs is to have their products banned in the European market.