Major developments in European legislation affecting the electronics industry – what you need to know as a producer of electrical and electronic equipment.If you are a manufacturer and seller of own branded EEE, a reseller under own brand or an importer/exporter of EEE then there are new rules you need to be aware of concerning restricted substances and end of life disposal.
In July 2011 the RoHS 2 or RoHS Recast Directive entered into force. This has brought with it several important changes which all 27 Member States must bring into effect.
RoHS aims to reduce the amount of restricted substances used in EEE, by placing maximum permitted values on six substances. From 2 January 2013, the scope of RoHS will increase from 8 to 11 product areas, with phasing in beginning with some medical devices and monitoring and control instruments in July 2014. All relevant products will be obliged to be CE marked and there are new documentation requirements.
Underpinning this is a change of definition. Originally, EEE was ‘dependent on electric current or electromagnetic fields for its primary function’, but RoHS2 changes the definition to ‘dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields to fulfil at least one intended function’. So, a pair of trainers with flashing LED lights, previously out of scope, would now be captured.
Another development is that of WEEE 2 or the WEEE Recast. This directive aims to prevent the generation of EEE waste by the promotion of recycling, re-use and recovery. Developments under review include changing collection targets from 4kg per inhabitant per year to a percentage of product placed on the market figure. Member States and the European Parliament have also asked for an ‘open’ scope, where any EEE unless specifically excluded, is included in the scope of WEEE.
From 1 February until 6 March 2012 BIS is running a series of free informative seminars around the country where you can find about these changes and how they will affect you.
For more information, or to register, please visit www.bis.gov.uk/roadshows