FAQs
on RoHS Compliance
 What
is RoHS?
RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS,
also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union
and restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical
and electronic products. All applicable products in the EU market
after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance.
What are the restricted materials mandated under RoHS?The
substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium
(Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
Why is RoHS compliance important?
The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and pollute
landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during
manufacturing and recycling.
How are products tested for RoHS compliance?
Portable RoHS analyzers, also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF
metal analyzers, are used for screening and verification of RoHS
compliance.
Which companies are affected by the RoHS Directive?
Any business that sells applicable electronic products, sub-assemblies
or components directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors
or integrators that in turn sell products to EU countries, is impacted
if they utilize any of the restricted materials.
What is WEEE?
WEEE is the acronym for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment.
WEEE, also known as Directive 2002/96/EC, mandates the treatment,
recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment. All
applicable products in the EU market after August 13, 2006 must
pass WEEE compliance and carry the "Wheelie Bin" sticker.
How are RoHS and WEE related?
WEEE compliance aims to encourage the design of electronic products
with environmentally-safe recycling and recovery in mind. RoHS compliance
dovetails into WEEE by reducing the amount of hazardous chemicals
used in electronic manufacture.
What are the 8 product categories impacted under the RoHS Directive?
1. Large household appliances: refrigerators, washers, stoves, air
conditioners
2. Small household appliances: vacuum cleaners, hair dryers, coffee
makers, irons
3. Computing & communications equipment: computers, printers,
copiers, phones
4. Consumer electronics: TVs, DVD players, stereos, video cameras
5. Lighting: lamps, lighting fixtures, light bulbs
6. Power tools: drills, saws, nail guns, sprayers, lathes, trimmers,
blowers
7. Toys and sports equipment: videogames, electric trains, treadmills
8. Automatic dispensers: vending machines, ATM machines
What products are currently exempted from RoHS compliance?
1. Large stationary industrial tools
2. Control and monitoring equipment
3. National security use and military equipment
4. Medical devices
5. Some light bulbs and some batteries
6. Spare parts for electronic equipment in the market before July
1, 2006.
Have a general question? Contact your PEI Genesis sales office for guidance.
Or you can submit a question via our Customer
Request Form and your local office will respond shortly.
Have a technical RoHS question? Please contact Steve Willing, PEI-Genesis for "design-in" solutions by emailing TechSupport@peigenesis.com or you may contact Kitty Wheat, PEI-Genesis by emailing kitty.wheat@peigenesis.com for information about RoHS not found in the above resources. |
