News
WASHINGTON, DC – China is gearing up for a January implementation of its version of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive, according to a posting last month by a federal agency employee on the leadfree.org listserv. At an August workshop at the Department of Commerce, Chinese officials announced that China’s version of RoHS will go into effect January 2006, said Dr. John Sieber.
BRUSSELS – Comments are being sought from companies whose designs would either be rendered impracticable with RoHS-free substances or where the negative environmental and consumer safety impacts caused by switching would outweigh the benefits.
While the ROHS Directive 2002/95/EC bans lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE, the annex to the Directive lists a limited number of applications which are exempted. However, under pressure from industry, the European Commission is accepting input on requests for possible additional exemptions.
ALAMEDA, CA -- Meeting RoHS requirements requires a one-time investment of 2% to 3% of cost of goods sold, a top research firm said today. The firm released its findings to counter what it called "false information and speculation" about the cost of compliance.
