EU Hazardous Substances Directive Eases Contamination Concerns
February 23, 2006
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The European Parliament and the Council of the European Union (EU) initiated the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive to help protect human health and the environment from environmental contamination concerns.
The new directive goes into effect July 1, 2006 and applies to a wide range of manufacturers who sell product in the European market. The directive was issued to control the potential for hazardous waste arising from manufactured products. Under the provisions, there are key restrictions in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment to avoid the use of hazardous substances including lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
To comply with the EU RoHS legislation, all of the substances must be removed or must be reduced to within maximum allowable concentrations. Manufacturers are responsible for demonstrating that their products comply with these requirements and leading governmental authorities will be in charge of enforcement.
Equipment that must demonstrate compliance to the new RoHS Directive includes:
- Small household appliances.
- Large household appliances.
- Consumer equipment.
- Information technology and telecommunication equipment.
- Lighting equipment.
- Electrical and electronic tools (with the exception of large – scale stationary industrial tools).
- Toys, leisure and sports equipment.
- Automatic dispensers.
Manufacturers who meet the requirements of the RoHS Directive will receive an official Letter of Compliance from NSF indicating that they have met the requirements of the new Directive. Manufacturers falling under the above categories will maintain this letter as a demonstration of compliance. Alternatively, suppliers who provide parts to these manufacturers will use their letter to demonstrate compliance to prospective buyers.
Source: NSF International.