A Guide to Compliance with the RoHS Directive (3 Revised edition)

Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) has been adopted in the European Union and comes into force on the 1st July 2006.

This third edition of the very popular "A Guide to Compliance with the RoHS Directive" report covers the requirements of the RoHS Directive, and how to comply with RoHS regulations and legislation.

Independent testing is not required but producers will need to rely on declarations from their suppliers that components and materials do not contain restricted substances.

Where there is doubt, or to check the accuracy of claims by suppliers, analysis may be carried out.

This report provides guidance on the format of declarations, when analysis may be required and how this should be carried out.

How to avoid the need for analysis is also covered. Since the first edition of this guide was published in January 2005, there have been significant developments in many areas, particularly the scope of the Directive, variations in interpretation of its scope and possible extensions of RoHS to Categories 8 and 9 of WEEE (medical, and monitoring and control). All of these are covered in this third edition together with expanded coverage of lead free soldering to include laminate issues and tin whiskers.

Issue 3 of this publication has several new sections, including: EU member state legislation and interpretation of the meaning of "Put on the market"; steps to RoHS compliance and minimising analysis requirements; approaches to enforcement; decision trees based on supplier qualification; development of materials declarations, including IPC 1752; and, auditing of suppliers.

Finally, the report covers the latest published exemptions, RoHS marking standards and software tools including the new Eco-compliance Declaration (ECD) exchange form.