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I learned a lot about the RoHS & WEEE guidelines and how are many countries following these guidelines and how does this problem is handled here in Venezuela. I talked about the RoHS directive around the world in the E.U., CHINA, JAPAN, U.S. and Venezuela.The work experience was great, everybody did their job and we had a lot of fun working together, sharing and learning on how to create consumer awareness, specially here at URBE where the future generations of Electronic and Industrial Engineers are studying.
• China—Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by
Electronic Information Products (China RoHS)
Effective March 1, 2007
Duplicates most EU product categories + also covers packaging
materials
Implemented in two phases
• Japan—Enforcement Regulation of the Waste Management and
Public Cleansing Law
Effective July 1, 2006
Product categories are similar to EU RoHS
• U.S.
Federal – limited activity
States – led by CA, MA, ME, NY, WA, VT
Increasingly regional in approach
Enforcement is ad hoc and public
No judicial resolution=uncertain precedent
Patchwork of rules and confusion
Europe RoHS Directive
Exempt – Defense, Aerospace, Automotive, Medical and parts of
Communication.
Most suppliers only want to run 1 production line and will
only make RoHS compliant versions.
Suppliers that continue to support non-compliant product will
consider raising prices from 15% - 40%.
About 70% of the suppliers are changing their part numbers.
Only about 50% of the customers have converted to RoHS in North
America.
Currently there is no consideration given to supporting a RoHS
initiative/directive here in the U.S. or North America.
Japan RoHS Directive
The Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of resources seeks
to establish a sustainable society based on the 3R’s of reduce,
reuse and recycling. Industries are targeted and requirements are
instituted on an ad hoc basis, based upon technology that is
available to support 3R initiatives.
Manufacturers and importers of computers, televisions, refrigerators,
washers & dryers, microwaves and air conditioners must label their
products to indicate presence of the six RoHS substances.
Importers of computers, copiers, televisions, refrigerators, washers
& dryers, microwaves and air conditioners must now meet the
Design for Environment (DfE) criteria required of domestic
manufacturers.
China RoHS Directive
Covered products include electronic radar products, electronic
communication products, broadcast TV products, electronic measurement
instruments, fixed manufacturing equipment, medical and diagnostic
equipment, and electronics in vehicles and aircraft.
There are no exemptions.
Packaging materials must be non-toxic, and they must be easily degradable
or recyclable.
Manufacturers and importers must specify the time period during which
potentially toxic substances in a covered product will not leak or mutate.
All covered products must be certified by China and testing by Chinese labs
will be required to become compliant. No “self declaration” that is allowed
per the EU Directive.
Extensive labeling requirements required on all individual components.
Canada province & USA State WEEE laws
California and Alberta make buyers of certain new electronic equipment
(including computers and TVs) pay a recycle fee. Contractor hired to
recycle e-waste.
Cell phone take-back laws in CA & ME.
ME, MD, WA, British Columbia &
Saskatchewan have enacted
rules requiring manufacturer
take-back of e-waste.
State rules restricting mercury in
consumer products appearing in
CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ and NY.
Pressure building for national
WEEE laws in Canada and USA.
