RoHS, lead-free legislation, or to use its accurate but somewhat lengthy title “Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment”, will be enforced throughout the European Community from 1st July 2006.

Its aim is simple – to restrict the use of six substances within electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), thereby contributing to the protection of human health and the environment.

Although RoHS is a European Union (EU) Directive, manufacturers of EEE outside Europe must also abide by this legislation if the equipment they produce is ultimately imported into a EU member state.

What Products Are Affected

The directive applies to household appliances, IT and telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, electrical and electronic tools, toys, sports equipment, monitoring and control instruments.

There are currently exemptions for medical equipment, military equipment, batteries, and spare parts. However, the future status of these exemptions is unclear. The exemptions may be withdrawn as safer materials are developed to replace the restricted substances in these products.

Your Responsibility

Under the RoHS Directive, producers of electrical and electronic products are responsible for self-declaring that products comply with the RoHS directives or obtaining material declarations or certificates from their suppliers. Although there are no standardized forms, these declarations need to state that materials, parts, and/or components may be used to produce RoHS compliant equipment. The authorities within the EU are conducting routine checks on products. If a product does not comply with the RoHS legislation, and producers cannot prove that they have taken reasonable steps to comply, authorities may ban the product from the EU and/or issue a penalty, including fines and/or imprisonment.