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Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive

The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive has single market goals and environmental aims, restricting the use of certain substances and reducing environmental impacts in waste.

Overview

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC) aims to minimise the environmental impact of waste electrical and electronic equipment, by restricting the quantities of four heavy metals and two brominated flame retardants that it may contain. The Directive has been reviewed in 2010, with a new Directive published in July 2010.  The new Directive is expected to be transposed into UK Regulations by the transposition deadline 2 January2013.   

 RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC)

Products placed on the EU market on or after 1   July 2006 may not contain more than the specified  limits of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). This is limited to only certain categories of EEE,   additionally with some exclusions and exemptions.

                                                                    

 New RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU)

The new Directive applies to the same restricted substances as the original Directive (see left).  There is a transition period for additional categories of EEE which are coming into scope of the Directive. There are also changes to exclusions, exemptions procedure and conformity, including CE marking obligations. 
                                                                       

 

Latest developments

 

Am I affected?

UK Guidance for business on the Regulations can be found on the Business Link website.

Consumer information

Consumers should find products on sale are RoHS compliant, however they can report suspected non-compliance to the National Measurement Office (NMO). Advice on recycling products can be found on DirectGov DirectGov.

Contact us

BIS

Eco-design and Product Regulation Unit
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS)
1 Victoria Street
LONDON, SW1H 0ET
Tel. + 44 (0)20 7215 5000
Email: env.regs@bis.gsi.gov.uk