It is looking likely that RoHS will become a "CE Mark Directive" over the coming months. This could have a massive, resource sapping, impact on manufacturers, importers and distributors, regardless of size.
While the proposed introduction of new product categories and restricted substances will no doubt grab the headlines the requirements of the RoHS CE Mark will have a massive impact on industry.
For example:
Recently released data for the
This came despite 9.86% less electrical and electronic equipment being put on the market in 2009.
This still remains significantly behind the 65% collection target that the EC has proposed from 2016.
Directive Decoder
The European Commission (EC) has launched a consultation that will consider a ban on cadmium in batteries for cordless power tools such as electric drills. Currently, such tools are exempt from restrictions under the batteries directive.
The directive bans the sale of batteries containing 0.002% or more of cadmium by weight. Exemptions other than cordless power tools include emergency and alarm systems including emergency lighting and medical equipment.
Continue reading "EU considers cadmium ban for cordless power tools" »
ERA Technology, trading as Cobham Technical Services, has given early notice of their industry leading conference in 2010.
Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Environment 2010 - meeting the technical and regulatory challenges, now in its 11th year, takes place on 17-18 November at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Bath Road, in Heathrow.
Attracting high calibre speakers from around the world this is the one conference you should not miss to gain first hand knowledge and information not available elsewhere.
The link below will be updated as the programme evolves.
Directive Decoder
On March 8 the ECHA published a consultation on 8 more Substances of Very High Concern.
Here, chemicals expert Dr. Paul Goodman of ERA Technology, trading as Cobham Technical Services takes a look at the possible impact on EEE.
Three EU Member States - Denmark, France and Germany - have put forward proposals to identify eight chemical Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).
Directive Decoder
The Chinese Government published and has adopted amended legislation on 19 January 2010 which is due to come into force on 15 October 2010.
For a one page summary refer to this exclusive China REACH pdf.
Directive Decoder
Eco-Design Directive 2009/125/EC has repealed 2005/32/EC known as the EuP Directive.
Ten product categories in phase one now have EU regulations in force and fourteen studies are underway on the categories in phase two.
The European Commission has published a decision to exempt the use of cadmium in certain colour-converting LED screens from a ban under the RoHS Directive.
Decission 2010/122/EU of 25 February finds that, technically, no suitable alternative has been found.
This will be exemption 39 for use in solid state illumination or display systems and will run until 1 July 2014.
The applicant for the exemption is 3M and it is for a new type of LED that is not yet on the market other than in sample quantities.
Potential future applications will include lighting (white LEDs), projectors (beamers) including small handheld devices and possibly even mobile phones.
The exemption has been published in the Official Journal and is therefore in effect now.
Directive Decoder
With thanks to Dr. Paul Goodman, Cobham Technical Services
Over the last year or so there have been many proposals put forward regarding the future scope of the RoHS Directive.
As it stands the European Commission, European Parliament and Council of Ministers have to agree the final draft, but there are still areas where their opinions differ.
For the latest position refer to the attached guide:
Directive Decoder
The European Commission has circulated its proposals for the capacity marking of rechargeable, or secondary, portable batteries.
For an updatede Guide to the New Battery Directive click here
Directive Decoder
When I review the "hits" on this column there is always a surge when I blog on anything to do with China RoHS.
This is clearly due to the general dearth of information and the lack of announcements from the Chinese authorities.
The first draft catalogue of Electronic Information Products that will be subject to China RoHS substance restrictions was published during October 2009.
With legislative advice hard to find and / or expensive send your questions direct to me for a prompt, free of charge reply.
Six Member States -
The current interpretation of the threshold is 0.1% by weight of the total article while the six countries feel that the 0.1% threshold should apply per component part.
So called China REACH - the "Measures on Environmental Management of New Chemical Substances" was adopted in January 2009 and will enter into force on 15 October 2010.
The adopted regulation contains 52 articles compared to only 41 in the draft released in May 2009.
The regulations include:
The European Commission (EC) has circulated its proposals for the capacity marking of rechargeable, or secondary, portable batteries. Currently there are no proposals for capacity labelling of primary batteries and the commission has not indicated when proposals are likely to be published for these.
The EC was originally due to publish proposals in March 2009 to enter into force during September, twelve months on from the implementation of the new battery directive (2006/66/EC) but has failed to meet the deadline.
The proposals are to use IEC/EN standards for calculating capacity.
Portable batteries would be marked by the abbreviations mAh (milliampere hours) or Ah (amp hours) and the regulations will also provide details of the label size and location etc.
A study published by the European Commission recommends the creation of a dedicated European body to oversee the implementation and enforcement of European Union waste law.
This forms part of a series of steps being taken by the EC to improve waste management and ensure it meets the requirements set by EU legislation to protect human health and the environment.
Gary Nevison, Head of Legislation at Premier Farnell, is the company spokesperson and customer interface on legislation that affects the electronics industry, such as the RoHS (all variations around the world, including China and Korean RoHS) REACH, EuP, WEEE and Battery Directives.
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