In 2003 in the EU, as environmental problems had come to be recognized as important issues, a directive was issued to restrict the use of harmful substances in computers, communication devices, consumer electronics, and related products which were widely used in the region. This was the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive, also known as RoHS.
The directive limits the use of certain harmful substances, with the goal of minimizing dangers including environmental destruction and damage to human health. It went into effect on February 13th, 2005 for the 15 members of the European Union (EU) and began implementation in in July, 2006 for EU member nations (25 countries as of July, 2004).
Specifically,
Also, the restrictions would target,
The RoHS directive regulates the EU, and no equivalent regulation yet exists in the US or Japan. However situations have occurred such as one in 2001, where cadmium was discovered in a Japanese game device, and due to The Netherlands regulation against this chemical, the product could not clear customs. Since the targeted goods encompass nearly all electric and electronic goods, and furthermore since most Japanese makers consider selling their goods in Europe, the reality is that there is a rapidly approaching need for Japanese products to conform to the RoHS directive.
Given this situation, many Japanese makers are working towards RoHS compliance, and we, as a responsible supplier of the parts and materials used by these makers, and as a company grappling with environmental problems, hope to actively promote and introduce RoHS compliant part makers and parts, including eco-friendly products.
