Directives to impact on export into the European market

Two directives have been introduced that will impact on the export of electrical and electronic devices into the European market:

• Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS);
• Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

The purpose of the WEEE directive is the prevention, recovery and safe disposal of waste and the promotion of equipment design that makes possible the repair, dismantling, reuse and recycling of equipment.

It applies to all types of household appliances, IT and telecommunication equipment, audio/video equipment, lighting and power tools, toys, medical devices as well as products for professional use.

Electrical equipment must be designed to facilitate dismantling and disassembly of parts like batteries, printed circuit boards, toner cartridges, CRTs, LCDs and cables.

Manufactures must also provide information to users on waste collection points, the requirement not to dispose equipment in household waste and mark labels with the crossed-out wheeled bin symbol for all equipment placed on the market after 13 August 2005.

The RoHS directive is related to the reduction of waste management problems due to the use of heavy metals and flame retardant materials on appliances.

The RoHS Directive becomes compulsory from 1 July 2006 and restricts the use of following materials:

• Lead;
• Mercury;
• Cadmium;
• Chromium;
• PBBs and PBDEs.

Information on maximum concentration levels is currently available as a non-binding EC draft document.

Some substances, for example mercury in fluorescent lamps, lead in CRTs and some forms of solder are exempted from the requirement of the RoHS directive. Batteries do not fall under the requirements of the RoHS directive but, as part of electronic waste, must be separated from the equipment and must meet the requirements of the EU Directive on Batteries and Accumulators 91/157/EEC.

Both the WEEE and RoHS directives apply to new domestic and commercial products placed on the EU market and offered for sale (including on-line sales), loan, hire leasing or gift.