Global Legislation - New Content

Once there was only RoHS and WEEE for design engineers to think about. However, EU based legislation continues to spread around the world and, as well as many countries adopting RoHS style legislation, we now have such as the REACH regulations, and the Energy using Products Directive that will impact our industry.

The following articles are the most recent, and cover the different Legislation subjects.

 

1.  REACH  (Chemical regulations) - Step by step guide V3

2.  China RoHS overview V4

3.  Energy using Products Directive (EuP) Overview.

4.  FAQ's on REACH regulations and EuP Directive.

5.  WEEE update on implementation within the EU.

6.  RoHS update on implementation within the EU.

7.  Impact on design - an overview.

8.  Impact of Global environmental legislation on electrical products in 2008

9.  EuP Working Plan

10. Batteries.

New Directive April 08

A revised Battery Directive was adopted by the European Union (EU), and came into effect, on 6/9/2006.

Member States have two years to implement the new Battery Directive and, on the same date of 26/9/2008, the former Battery Directive will be repealed.

The former directive only applied to certain batteries containing mercury, cadmium and lead over certain permitted values. However, the new legislation applies to all batteries regardless of their weight, shape, composition or use, although limited exemptions will apply.

“Producers” will have a number of requirements as well as placing on, and removing from, the market including labelling, registration, financing obligations, as well as the collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries.

Companies who place appliances on the market containing batteries will also be deemed as Producers, and there will be various requirements around design and the safe and efficient removal of batteries from appliances.

11. List of RoHS exemptions

12. Research into causes and prevention of Tin Whiskers

13. RoHS and WEEE Directives, Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC). Unofficial Note of the Meeting held in Brussels on 10 April 2008

14. RoHS Technical Guide May 08

15. EU Directive 94/9/EC Equipment and Protective Systems intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) v2 June 08

16. DecaBDE court ruling

Useful links

Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (Ex DTI)

Health & Safety Executive

National Weights & Measures Laboratory

NetRegs

Department of  Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)

EUROPA

RoHS International

ERA Technology