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European Environmental Directive Explanations, definitions and our compliance.

Q What is the purpose of RoHS?
A To restrict the use of hazardous substances used in electrical and electronic equipment.
Q Why has it been introduced?
A To help protect the environment and in conjunction with the WEEE Directive to encourage recycling.
Q When did it come into force?
A 1st July 2006.
Q What does it mean?
A From this date electronic / electrical equipment can not be sold into any EU country unless the levels of the hazardous substances are below a certain level.
Q Which countries are EU countries?
A
Austria Germany Netherlands
Belgium Greece Poland
Bulgaria Hungary Portugal
Cyprus Ireland Romania
Czech Republic Italy Slovak Republic
Denmark Latvia Spain
Estonia Lithuania Sweden
Finland Luxembourg United Kingdom
France Malta  

Q What substances are hazardous and what are the maximum levels?
A
Cadmium (Cd) 100 ppm (0.01%)
Lead (Pb) 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Mercury (Hg) 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Hexavalent Chronium (CrVl) 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB’s) 1000 ppm (0.1%)
Polybrominated Diphenyl Eters (PBDE’s) 1000 ppm (0.1%)

Q What products will be affected?
A Mainly consumer products that fall into the following categories:-

Large household appliances
Refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, tumble driers, dish washers, microwaves, food processors, electric heaters, electric fans, air conditioners.

Small household appliances
Vacuum cleaners, sewing machines, irons, toasters, fryers, grinders, coffee machines, electric can openers, electric razors, electric hair trimmers, electric tooth brush, Clocks, watches, electric scales.

IT Equipment and Telecoms equipment
Main frame computers, personal computers, laptop, mouse, keyboard, printers, scanners, typewriters, electronic calculators, telephones, mobile phones, answer phones, data transmitters, remote controls, radio transmitters.

Consumer Products  
Radios, televisions, video recorders, video cameras, video senders, DVD players, DVD Recorders, electronic musical instruments, HiFi Systems, Portable HiFi systems, MP3 players, CD players/recorders, Mini Disc players/recorders.

Lighting Products
Florescent lamps, compact florescent lamps, sodium lamps, discharge lamps, metal halide lamps.

Electrical/electronic tools
Drills, saws, sanders, plains, nail guns, electric screwdrivers, lawn mowers, soldering irons, welding equipment, spraying equipment.

Toys / Sports Equipment / Leisure equipment
Electric train sets, Electric car racing sets, video games, sports equipment with electronic parts, fruit machines, coin operated machines, other leisure equipment containing electric motors.

Automatic dispensers
Cash machines, drinks machines, food machines.
Q Are there any exceptions to this rule?
A

Yes - The following guidelines apply:-

  • Items for military use.
  • Certain florescent lamps are allowed higher concentrations of mercury.
  • Lead is permitted in the glass of cathode ray tubes, other electronic tubes and florescent lamps.
  • Lead is permitted at higher concentrations when alloyed with steel, aluminum and copper.
  • Lead is permitted at higher concentrations in high temperature solder.
  • Lead is permitted in solders used in computer servers, storage devices,network equipment,network telecoms equipment, transmission equipment, signalling equipment, switching equipment.  
  • Lead is permitted in Piezoelectric devices, crystals, ceramic resonators. Cadmium plating. ( As long as it doesn't infringe any other EU directives).
  • Hexavalent Chromium when used to protect against corrosion in certain refrigerator systems.

Q Who is responsible for compliance with RoHS?
A The manufactures of the equipment will ultimately be responsible for ensuring that products they sell after 1st July 2006 are fully RoHS compliant.
Q Who will police the system?
A Each EU country will have representatives who monitor the system by selecting random samples of product available on the market and subjecting it to tests.
Q What happens to offenders?
A They will be visited by officials who will seek evidence that reasonable care has been taken to ensure compliance. I suspect that fines will be imposed on persistent offenders.
Q How is Fu-Tech Limited going to deal with RoHS?
A

We will advise you the RoHS status of any item at quotation stage, (items that are not marked as RoHS are classed as Non RoHS).

When quotations for RoHS Compliant products lead to orders, the lines on your order that are RoHS compliant will be marked as such in the line text.

Product that arrives into our stores as RoHS compliant will be subject to further checks.
If during this checking process if it is felt there is insufficient evidence to support its RoHS status, then we will classify the product as “RoHS status unknown” and we will contact you as soon as possible. If this should occur and wherever possible we will try to re-source the product.
Q What does Fu-Tech Limited require from you our customer?
A If you require RoHS compliant products customers must clearly state this on their order paperwork (not in their general terms and conditions).
Q How are manufacturers preparing for RoHS?
A Most manufacturers now produce RoHS compliant products or are in the process of producing RoHS compliant products.
Q How are distributors preparing for RoHS?
A Most European distributors have now implemented a policy of purchasing only RoHS compliant products. With almost all of them operating a FIFO stores system, the non RoHS compliant product is expected to form a smaller and smaller percentage of their stock holding, with the aim to reduce this to zero within a few years.
Q What is the future of RoHS?
A It is likely that more substances will be added to the restricted list and other countries from around the globe will adopt their own policies in order to help clean up the world.


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