Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. It is closely linked with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) 2002/96/EC which sets collection, recycling and recovery targets for electrical goods and is part of a legislative initiative to solve the problem of huge amounts of toxic e-waste.

Manufacturers need to understand the requirements of the RoHS Directive to ensure that their products, and their components, comply.

The UK RoHS regulations apply to those businesses defined as producers that:

• manufacture or assemble electrical or electronic equipment in the UK
• import electrical or electronic equipment from outside Europe
• re-badge electronic products as their own.

The RoHS Directive applies to products placed on the European market and each member state has its own legislation.

For further information see  RoHS or download pdf