RoHS/WEEE Compliance Requirements

RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC)
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive was passed into law by the European Union (E.U.). It affects manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment containing lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chrome, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). After July 1, 2006 the use of these materials will be banned in new products sold in Europe. The RoHS Directive complements the WEEE Directive.

WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC)
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) applies to companies that manufacture, sell, distribute, recycle or treat electrical and electronic equipment and to consumers in the E.U. It covers all large and small household appliances, IT equipment, radio and audio equipment, electrical tools and telecommunications equipment.

The Directive aims to reduce the waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment and to improve the environmental performance of all those involved in the life cycle of these products.

The implementation of this Directive follows a specific timetable.

• Producers (manufacturers, sellers, distributors) are to begin registration in the first quarter of 2005.
• By August 13, 2005 private households will be able to return their WEEE to collection facilities free of charge and producers will be responsible for financing these facilities. For WEEE returned from others than private households producers will have to finance collection, treatment, recovery and disposal for products placed on the market after August, 13, 2005. For products placed on the market before this date, producers may be able to recover some of these costs.
• By December 31, 2006 producers will be required to achieve a series of demanding recycling and recovery targets.