The European Union has officially announced it is tightening the rules banning hazardous substances in electrical and electronics equipment -- the environmental measure called RoHS. The revision extends the RoHS directive, which bans six hazardous substances in the EU, to include more electrical appliances. The ban will also now apply to all electrical and electronic equipment, as well as to cables and spare parts.
The revised law, adopted in late May, also requires the EU Commission to regularly review and adapt the list of restricted substances, which currently include lead, mercury, and cadmium. Further substances in electrical and electronic equipment may be banned in future.
According to an EU press release, measures taken within the European Parliament have ensured the adoption of this law. There are still a few steps to go, however: The revised directive still has to be published in the Official Journal of the EU, be transposed into EU member state laws within 18 months, and establish a time frame for industry implementation, according to Design Chain Associates, a manufacturing and environmental consulting firm.
Although RoHS has been in effect since 2005, the clarity of the rule has been a matter of ongoing debate. Certain categories of products are exempt from the ban under the original rule; the rule's language leaves room for interpretation as to which products are specifically excluded.
For the electronics industry, the biggest challenge of RoHS remains the ban of lead from electronics products. Lead historically has been the main component in electronics solders. Lead-solder substitutions don't perform as well as leaded, are more expensive than leaded solders, and require different equipment to achieve melting temperatures and to adhere to printed circuit boards. The industry has also long held that the amount of lead in electronics solders is so minuscule that the environmental impact is negligible.
Nevertheless, the global manufacturing industry has accepted RoHS, and countries outside the EU are adopting similar measures.
I absolutely agree that the law needs as much clarification as possible. I also agree that from the beginning, RoHS has been a standard that the rest fo the world is beginning to follow. Once RoHS irons out the kinks in its implementation, we'll be able to see if the enforcement actually has teeth. That's the only way global manufacturing will conform.
Certain categories of products are exempt from the ban under the original rule; the rule's language leaves room for interpretation as to which products are specifically excluded.
I wish the debate on clarity of the rule gets over soon so that there is no room for ambiguity. Because if there is any ambiguity the strict implementation of the rule is not possible.
I too am concerned about the Ewaste issue. I would hate to think the more developed coutries are taking advantage of the less developed countries to push a problem elsewhere and into the future. Perhaps it will end up like the greenhouse emissions saga where countries trade their allowances as a means of flouting regulations.
Barbara I think it’s a good move from EU. Most of the electronic components have the presence of mercury, nickel, cadmium and lead, which are very hazardous to human life. While we are using the appliances, we are not bothered about such side effects because we are considering only the merits of such devices.
E waste is a very common problem and recently I had read an article about disposing the E-waste from US and EU. According to the article, contractors from these countries are trying to dump such E-waste to under developing nations in Africa and North Eastern Asian countries. They are seeking permission from such countries for dumping biological waste and dumping E-waste, which can create a lots of health related problems, especially breathing problems for children.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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