ROHS Directive

ROHS Directive

ROHS Directive is a single market Directive on the restriction of certain hazardous substances. Itseeks to reduce the environmental by restricting the use of certain hazardous substances during themanufacturing of electrical and electronics products. It is complementary to the WEEE Directive. Itcover all products that are covered by the WEEE Directive except categories 8 & 9.

Effective from 1 July 2006, the following 6 substances will be banned.

1) LEAD
2) MERCURY
3) CADMIUM
4) HEXAVALENT CHROMIUM
5) POLYBROMINATED BIPHENYLS(PBB)
6) POLYBROMINATED DIPHENYL ETHERS (PBDE)

The Directive is having a major impact on the design of electrical and electronicproducts as industry invests in finding alternatives to key substances such as lead and brominatedflame retardants. There is continuing debate on the environmental impact of the banned substances,along with pressure for more exemptions.

Lead is a substance of concern around the world. A high percentage(may be up to 90%) of electronic components contain lead, mainly lead solder. Findingalternatives to lead solder is a massive undertaking because of product reliability, component compatibility,energy use, and cost issues.

Brominated flame retardants are also ubiquitous in electronic products and are used primarily in printedwiring boards, plastic housings, and cables. The Directive requires the elimination of twocategories of retardant: polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers(PBDEs). Another brominated flame retardant — tetrabromobisphenol (TBBP-A), which is widelyused in electronic equipment — may be added to the list in the future.Research continueson alternative flame retardants, such as those based on phosphorous, and on materials that are able to withstandsuch high temperatures that they do not require flame retardants. Environmental organizations are pressingfor a ban on all brominated flame retardants.

Figure below shows some examples of the 6 substances and their exempting materials.

Europe is one of the largest markets in the world, and any company wishing to sell electrical andelectronic equipment in this market will be able to do so only if it removes the hazardous substancesspecified in the Directive.

Japan now leads the world in eliminating hazardous substances from these products, and China has announced a policy modeled on RoHS.

Critical ROHs Directive Dates

February 13, 2003 --- RoHS Directive goes into effect.

August 13, 2004 --- Member states enact implementing legislation/regulations/administrative actions.

February 13, 2005 --- EU Commission reviews provisions of the directive, taking into account new scientific evidence;proposals to be submitted for adding to the list of banned substances.

July 1, 2006 --- Member states ensure that all electrical and electronic equipment put on the market containsno lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, or PBBs or PBDEs (brominated flame retardants).

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