EU electronics industry to comply with new RoHS

electronic device

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The European Union's electronics industry is to comply with new obligations under the recently updated RoHS legislation. The rules also apply to other companies that ship equipment into the EU. 

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, commonly referred to as RoHS or the lead-free directive, limits the use of dangerous substances such as lead and mercury in the manufacture of electronic equipment. The directive was first passed in February 2003. 

According to the updated legislation, the RoHS now also applies to items dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields for one intended function, covering devices such as gas cookers with an electric clock.  

EU member states were given 18 months to implement the guidelines into their national legislation.