| The RoHS Directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state of the European Union. The directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is often referred to as the lead-free directive, but restricts the use of the following six substances:
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
It does not apply to fixed industrial plant and tools. Compliance is the responsibility of the company that puts the product on the market.
Components and sub-assemblies are not responsible for product compliance. Given the fact that the regulation is applied at the homogeneous level, data on substance concentrations needs to be transferred through the supply chain to the company that puts the product on the market. |
