RoHS is an acronym for European Union’s directive to restrict the use of certain Hazardous substance in electrical and electronic equipments. The simple purpose of RoHS is to restrict the use of six know hazardous substance within electrical and electronic equipments, their by contributing as to the protection of human health and the environment. Substances such as lead that are widely used in electronic products can cause damage to the kidneys, reproductive system and central nervous system. RoHS is effective from July I”2006.
In recent years, many countries have introduced regulations to minimize human exposure to toxic substances from waste electronic and electrical equipment. The European Union (EU) implemented its “Restriction on the use of certain Hazardous substances ” Directive Commonly referred to as RoHS. Other countries like Japan, Korea, China and the united state have adopted similar regulations which vary in their approach and scope of products covered.
ABCs of RoHS
There is growing concern around the world about the way we are damaging the environment and jeopardizing human health and lives. This has led more and more countries to introduce regulations to limit the use of certain. Hazardous substance in electrical and electronic products. These are generally referred to RoHS – Restriction on the use of Hazardous substance.
Why do we need RoHS?
Electrical and electronic waste is usually dumped in landfills. Over time, the hazardous substances in this waste seep into the surrounding and waterways and eventually into the seas. This can lead to dangerously high levels of toxic substances in to the food and water we consume.
For example, high concentration of mercury have been found in fish in some part of the world mercury can contribute to brain and kidney damage.
The directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment 2008/95EC commonly referred to as the restriction to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS) was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS directive took effect subsequently from 1st July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials.
Health Benefits
RoHS helps reduce damage to people and the environment in third-world countries where much of today’s high-tech-trash” ends up. The use of lead-free substance and components has provided immediate health benefits to electronic an electrical industry to worker in prototype and manufacturing operations.
Contrary to the prediction of widespread component failure and reduced reliability. RoHS first anniversary (July 2007) past with little fanfare. Today millions of companies products are is use worldwide. Most of today’s consumer electronic are now RoHS complaint, example include Apple’s ipod portable music players, Dell and HP home computers and servers. Nintendo’s wii, Motorola and Nokia’s wireless phones Net gear routers, and Panasonic televisions and appliances.
The ban on concentrations of brominates flame retardants (BFR) above 0.1% in plastic has had in an impact on plastic recycling. As more products include recycled plastics. Kit has become critical to know the BFR concentrations, or by measuring the BFR concentrations from samples. Plastic with high BFR concentrations are costly to handle or to discard, whereas plastic with levels below 0.1% have value as recyclable materials.
Vidhut Cables have been proactive environmentally friendly cable products that comply with global regulations. All Vidhut cables now comply with this directive.
Hazardous substance & permissible content in the RoHS directive
