Restricted Substances Compliance

What are these regulations?

In February of 2003, the European Union released the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directives. The goal of these initiatives is to protect human health and the environment by restricting the use of various hazardous substances in products sold in the member states. Substances include Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers.

These environmental regulations are growing on a world-wide scale. Several countries have developed, or are developing; legislation similar to the RoHS/WEEE directives. In the United States, California has passed Proposition 65, which is similar to RoHS/WEEE as it limits various substances in products sold within its borders – and several other states are developing their own legislation.

Who is affected by the directives?

It has been estimated that these growing initiatives will affect a minimum of 100,000 product lines. Having compliant product lines will create access to the affected markets and create opportunities with suppliers to those markets.

Affected products range from electronic goods, household appliances, telecommunications equipment, toys, sporting goods – even the packaging of products are affected. Any product sold to the affected markets will need to be in compliance.

When is the compliance deadline?

A compliance deadline of June 1, 2006 has been set for California’s Proposition 65, while the RoHS Directive has a compliance deadline of July 1, 2006. OEM Manufacturers, contract manufacturers, distributors and designers need to prepare themselves for compliance.

How can your organization be prepared?

Begin now with a plan to test your products for compliance – Eastern Applied Research can help. As the Exclusive Representative for Seiko Nano Technology, we provide equipment that puts your organization in control. A simple in-house analysis will test for the restricted hazardous materials.

By in-house testing, your organization will:

• Control your liability
• Limit long term expenses and time involvement
• Have the ability to scan a large number of parts
• Improve turn-around time
• Limit the number of parts sent to outside laboratories

Whether your organization is the manufacturer of products or a supplier to the end manufacturer, proper preparation will help develop opportunities where others miss them. You will limit supply chain disruptions and avoid loss of revenue to competitors that looked and planned ahead.

For more information on these growing initiatives and how your product line can be ahead of the curve and in compliance, contact Eastern Applied Research at 1-800-792-4477 or send us an Email.

Equipment to help your organization comply with
RoHS, WEEE and Proposition 65 Legislation

Seiko SEA 1000A Hazardous Substances Monitor

Sample Materials	Examples of Samples
Polyethylene (PE) Polypropylene (PP) Polystyrene (PS) Polyvinylchloride (PVC) Paper	Remote control case Bubble wrap Print circuit boards Packing material
Aluminum alloy Magnesium alloy	Computer case Mechanical parts
Composite materials such as plastic and metal Paper Glass Ceramics Rubber Ink Cloth	Cables Connectors (molded parts) Label sheets Lens IC Package Remote control buttons Strap
Steel Copper alloys Solder Titanium alloys	Switches Screws Connectors (metal components) Audio terminals IC leads

[Click the charts below to enlarge]

Seiko SEA 5100/5200 Series Micro Element Monitors	Seiko SEA 2200 Series Hazardous Substances Monitor

 

For additional information on available Hazardous Material Testers and how the new environmental regulations affect your organization, please contact Eastern Applied Research by Email, phone or fax at:

Email: scott@easternapplied.com
Phone: (800) 792-4477
Fax: (716) 625-8319

 

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