Directive Decoder

Even though the RoHS Directive was implemented over two years ago I still get asked about the status of Semiconductor Evaluation Boards or Evaluation Kits as they are widely known.

These kits are often very low cost and simulate the performance of a chip in a particular environment, often a microcontroller. The more complex kits also offer a programming facility.

While the more expensive programmers were fully encapsulated pieces of equipment and clearly within the scope of the directive, many were simple open circuit boards, so were they in scope?

On the 28^th of October the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) based in Helsinki, produced a short summary of the REACH obligations linked to the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

Companies may have legal obligations resulting from the inclusion of the substances on the Candidate List. These obligations are not linked only to the listed substances on their own, or in preparations, but also to their presence in articles.

Click here for the announcement.

Directive Decoder

As regular readers will know I am passionate about the subject of the recycling of toxic electronic waste in the developing world, sometimes referred to as Backyard Recycling.

This man made tragedy is based on the often illegal shipment of e-waste to developing countries from the developed world, and the harmful results of uncontrolled recycling, often carried out by the young. As a result, the levels of lead in the blood stream of young children is causing widespread harm, including damage to the brain.

Click here for further details.

However, I am delighted to say that this week, at the Electronica Trade Fair in Munich, Premier Farnell launched its pledge to help stop inadequately controlled e-waste recycling.

There were some relevant outputs from a meeting held yesterday (13^th November) on the status of the delayed China RoHS Directive.

The Basel Action Network (BAN) and the Electronics Take-Back coalition, working with 32 recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment, have announced the E-Stewards programme, which identifies the most responsible recyclers in North America.

The group hopes to end the dumping of toxic e-waste in developing countries. Recent studies revealed that most North American e-waste ends up in China, India or Africa.

The E-Stewards certification and accreditation of responsible recyclers will be the first such scheme in North America.

The outcomes of the exemptions review carried out by the Oko Institute will be announced after Christmas.

Word on the street is that 8 will be annulled and the wording amended on many of the others.

Of the 5 new exemption requests under review (recommendations in each case), 1 is likely to be included, 1 will be refused, 1 has been withdrawn by the applicant, and on the other 2 no clear recommendation is possible.

Directive Decoder

154 million small electrical products were bought in the UK in the last year alone, equating to around 551,000 tonnes in total or 22kgs per household. However, in the same period only 56,000 tonnes of small electrical items were recycled. This weight (22kgs) is equivalent to 188 mobile phones or 22 hairdryers.

There are a large number of companies in the UK with the capacity and capability to process this readily recyclable and valuable type of waste for which there are still viable market outlets.

Research by the Waste Resource Action Programme reveals that on average we have three old, broken or unwanted small electrical items stored around the home.

Watch out for a pre Christmas campaign to raise awareness with consumers. Local Authorities will also be encouraged to run their own local campaigns under the "recycle now" brand.

Directive Decoder