May 01, 2007 15:29
European WEEE and ROHS Directives
As of 01 July 2006, the 25 EU Member States will feel the significant effects of two new European directives with regard to electrical and electronic equipment, being the WEEE directive 2002/96/EC (Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and the RoHS directive 2002/95/EC (Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances).
The objectives of the WEEE and RoHS directives are to stimulate innovative and constructive solutions that minimise the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
In terms of scope, the WEEE directive imposes restrictions on the use of hazardous substances during the manufacture and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.
In addition to recycling electrical and electronic equipment, reuse and other forms of a second life-cycle for electrical and electronic components are stimulated.
A producer who puts electrical and/or electronic equipment on the European market after 31 June 2006 must guarantee that his equipment and the processing thereof (reuse and recycling) meet the requirements of the WEEE directive.
From 01 July 2006, the RoHS directive prohibits the use in Europe of specific substances in electric and electronic equipment. These banned substances are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDE).
The WEEE directive 2002/96/EC / 2003/108/EC
The WEEE directive applies to electric and electronic equipment that meets the following three criteria:
Ø Equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly and equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of such currents and fields.
Ø Equipment falling under the categories set out in Annex IA and more specifically Annex IB to Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE).
Ø Equipment designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1000 volts for alternating current and 1500 volts for direct current.
The producer is only required to act in accordance with the mandatory requirements of the WEEE directive if all three criteria above apply to electrical and/or electronic equipment in a complete state.
The producer must demonstrate the compliance of his electric and/or electronic equipment with the WEEE directive by means of the three markings below.
Ø Symbol of Annex IV to the WEEE directive, being the crossed-out wheelie bin.
Ø Identification of the enterprise with European responsibility.
Ø Indication of the year on which the equipment was placed on the European market.
RoHS directive 2002/95/EC
The RoHS directive concerns electric and electronic equipment falling under the categories set out in Annex IA and more specifically Annex IB to Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE), being categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10. This electrical and electronic equipment may not contain substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDE).
