In order to aid our customer we have put together this clear and simple brief, with the aim of helping you to understand the new RoHS directives.

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC) affects all manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and components containing lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). This Directive covers the same scope as the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) except for medical devices and monitoring and control instruments. It also applies to electric light bulbs and light fittings in households.

From 1 July 2006 new electrical and electronic equipment must not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). These must be replaced by other substances. Certain applications are exempt from the requirements of the Directive including mercury in certain types of fluorescent lamps, lead in the glass of cathode ray tubes, electronic components and fluorescent tubes, lead in electronic ceramic parts and hexavalent chromium as an anti-corrosion of the carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators. The exemptions will be reviewed every four years.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive (2002/96/EC) affects all manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment.

By 1st January 2006: All private householders will be able to return their WEEE to collection facilities free of charge; producers (manufacturers, sellers, distributors) will be responsible for financing the collection, treatment, recovery and disposal of WEEE from private households deposited at these collection facilities; producers will be responsible for financing the collection, treatment, recovery and disposal of WEEE from users other than private householders from products placed on the market after 1st January 2006; and producers will also be responsible for financing the management of WEEE from products placed on the market before 1st January 2006. However, it may be possible for all or part of these costs to be recovered from users other than private householders.

By 31 December 2006: All producers will be required to achieve a series of demanding recycling and recovery targets for different categories of appliance; and the UK must have reached an average WEEE collection rate of four kilograms for each private householder annually.

Here at Saffron Electronics, we offer our continued support for the RoHS/WEEE Directives and work closely with both our suppliers and clients to offer as much assistance as is required.