WEEE & RoHS

EC Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

Aims and requirements of the WEEE Directive

The WEEE Directive aims to reduce the quantity of waste from electrical and electronic equipment and increase its re-use, recovery and recycling.

The Directive affects producers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment – including household appliances, IT and telecoms equipment, audiovisual equipment (TV, video, hi-fi), lighting, electrical and electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports equipment.

Regulations

The WEEE Regulations were laid before Parliament on 12 December 2006 and entered into force on 2 January 2007. See the DTI WEEE pages for further information.

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

The Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) Directive aims to limit the environmental impact of electrical and electronic equipment when it reaches the end of its life.

It does this by minimising the use of hazardous substances and ensuring the harmonisation of legislation controlling hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment across the Community.

Which substances are restricted?

Electronic equipment must not contain more than the permitted concentrations of the following substances:

Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI))
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl
Ethers (PBDE)
(flame retardants used in some plastics)

What are the maximum concentrations?

The maximum concentrations are 0.1% by weight of the homogeneous materials with the exception of cadmium where the limit is 0.01%.

The EU has stated that the definition of a homogeneous material is a single substance that could theoretically be mechanically separated from other substances (e.g. solder on a component lead, sheath on a cable etc.)

Batteries are not included within the scope of RoHS, therefore a nickel cadmium battery is permitted in finished goods even though the use of cadmium is restricted.

When does it take effect?

The directive was enforceable from 1st July, 2006 for any new products “put onto the market” in Europe. Products that are imported into EU member states or manufactured in EU member states and available for sale must be compliant.

RoHS does not apply to any products that are already on the market, they can continue to be sold.

Where does RoHS apply?

Legally RoHS only affects the European Union. Similar legislation is currently being developed in other countries. RoHS is a single market Directive, meaning that it should be implemented uniformly throughout the EU.

What type of products are affected?

The RoHS Directive takes its scope from the associated WEEE (Waste Electronic & Electrical Equipment) Directive. It applies to 8 of the categories specified within the WEEE Directive.

Large household appliances
Small household appliances
IT and telecoms equipment
Consumer equipment
Toys, leisure and sports equipment
Electronic and electrical tools
Lighting equipment( including light bulbs)
Automatic dispensers

Are there any exemptions?

There are various exemptions outlined in the RoHS Directive. The main exemptions include:

Lead in high melting point solders (>85% lead content)
in ceramic devices
in specified alloys in limited concentrations
in the glass of CRTs, electronic components and fluorescent tubes
Mercury in various types of lamps

For up-to-date exemptions, including types of equipment/industries, please refer to the DTI website.

RoHS Directive (on DTI website)

How will the Directive be enforced?

An enforcement authority may request evidence that a producer has used due diligence and taken reasonable steps to comply with the requirements of RoHS and national legislation. Failure to comply could result in the eventual withdrawal of an offending product from market. Manufacturers are likely to be the first line of enforcement.