Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

This Directive has the same scope as the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive but excludes medical and monitoring and control equipment. It was written to complement the WEEE directive and includes light bulbs and light fittings in households.

The RoHS Directive aims to reduce the amount of hazardous substances that electrical and electronic equipment contain. It restricts the use of certain substances in new equipment.

Who does it affect?

All manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment are affected.

Why are they regulated?

They are regulated to protect human health and the environment from harmful substances.

How are they regulated?

From July the 1st 2006 new electrical and electronic equipment must not contain the following hazardous substances: mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). They must be replaced by other substances.

Exemptions Certain applications are exempt from the requirements of the Directive including mercury in certain types of fluorescent lamps, lead in the glass of cathode ray tubes, electronic components and fluorescent tubes, lead in electronic ceramic parts and hexavalent chromium as an anti-corrosion of the carbon steel cooling system in absorption refrigerators.

The exemptions will be reviewed every four years.