RoHS

RoHS is the acronym for "Restriction of Hazardous Substances". RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, originated in the European Union (EU) and restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products.

All applicable products in the EU market after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance. For the complete directive, see Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament.

The substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).

These restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and pollute landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.

Portable RoHS analyzers, also known as X-ray fluorescence or XRF metal analyzers, are used for screening and verification of RoHS compliance.

The RoHS Affect

Any company that:

• Manufactures and sells electrical and electronic equipment under their own brand into a member state of the European Union (EU).
• Resells, under their own brand, equipment produced by other suppliers into a member state of the EU.
• Imports or exports electrical and electronic equipment on a professional basis into a member state of the Europian Union.

will be affected.

Spare parts are exempt from RoHS.

The RoHS legislation does not apply to:

• spare parts for the repair of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) placed on the market before 1 July 2006 and to replacement components that expand the capacity of and/or upgrade of EEE placed on the market before 1 July 2006.
• the reuse of EEE placed on the market before 1 July 2006.

 

The RoHS Directive only applicable to products sold into the European Union.

At this time, only countries of the EU require RoHS-compliant products.

However, Gumstix only produces motherboards and expansion boards that are RoHS compliant.

 

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