Getting the Lead Out
An Overview of the New RoHS/WEEE Directives

by Vivian Harper

Consumer electronic goods are becoming more and more disposable. We frequently switch cell phones now that legislation is in place that enables our phone numbers to be portable. We purchase a new laptop every three years or so. We can even buy disposable digital cameras now. And some countries are concerned about the effect our disposable society has on the environment. As a result, new directives have been put in place.

If you manufacture and/or export electrical and electronic equipment to the European Union (EU), you will have to abide by the new RoHS/WEEE Directive. The basis of the directive is to eliminate certain heavy metals and halogens from electronic equipment.

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment." WEEE is defined as "waste electrical and electronic equipment."

The RoHS Directive will ban the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants by July 1.

Manufacturers will need to understand the requirements of the RoHS Directive to ensure their productsÊand their components comply. There are many confusing interpretations regarding this directive and some exemptions do apply.

The RoHS Directive and regulations define EEE as equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly, as well as equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents. Electricity is the primary energy.

The directive does not apply to products that can fulfill their main purpose without electricity. For example, a child's talking teddy bear is still a teddy bear and can fulfill its main purpose as a comfort toy with the batteries removed.

A company must prove its product complies with this directive. Replacement parts and supply chain information must confirm the elimination of these certain hazardous substances.

In order for a company to export to the EU, its electronic products and components must be identified and tracked to indicate the presence of any of the above listed substances. There is no consistent standard for identification or tracking at this time.

The WEEE Directive encourages the reuse, recycling, and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. Companies must take back and recycle products at the end of their useful life.

Manufacturers who produce electrical and electronic equipment are responsible for financing consumer product recycling and some business product recycling. These companies must achieve compliance and report annual targets for reuse, recycling and recovery of their products.

While the RoHS/WEEE directives are not law in the United States yet, 27 states have different bills pending that could become law. California and Maine are the leading states planning to legislate the elimination of metals in electrical and electronic equipment.

If you have questions regarding whether or not your products or components are affected by this directive and pending legislation, you can get more information by contacting Vivian Harper, SCMEP technical specialist at 803-252-6976 ext 229.