In February 2003, the European Union issued Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHs).
RoHS Directive Glossary
Inland Empire Components, in an effort to make the RoHS Directive easier to understand, has created a Glossary of terms for your information.
Cadmium (Cd)
One of the restricted substances per RoHS. Less than .01% is allowed to be considered “RoHS Compliant.”
Hexavalent Chromium (Cr (VI))
One of the restricted substances per RoHS. Less than .1% is allowed to be considered “RoHS Compliant.”
Homogenous Material
Homogeneous material means a material that can not be mechanically disjointed into different materials. The term “homogeneous” means “of uniform composition throughout”. Examples of “homogeneous materials” are individual types of: plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, alloys, paper, board, resins, coatings. The term “mechanically disjointed” means that the materials can, in principle, be separated by mechanical actions such as: unscrewing, cutting, crushing, grinding and abrasive processes. (Source: Day, Catherine. FAQs Directive 2002/95/EC and Directive 2002.96/EC. European Commission, 2005)
Lead (Pb)
One of the restricted substances per RoHS. Less than .1% is allowed to be considered “RoHS Compliant.”
Member State
A European sovereign country that is a member of the European Union.
Mercury (Hg)
One of the restricted substances per RoHS. Less than .1% is allowed to be considered “RoHS Compliant.”
OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs)
Flame retardant chemical. One of the restricted substances per RoHS. Less than .1% is allowed to be considered “RoHS Compliant.”
Polybrominated Diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)
Flame retardant chemical. One of the restricted substances per RoHS. Less than .1% is allowed to be considered “RoHS Compliant.”
RoHS
The purpose of Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment is to approximate the laws of the Member States on the restrictions of the use of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and to contribute to the protection of human health and the environmentally sound recovery and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment. (Source: Directive 2002/95/EC on the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHs))
RoHS Compliant
Meets the requirements of EU Directive 2002/95/EC.
Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC)
The RoHS and WEEE directives are governed under an EU department called DG Environment. Since the directives were published a Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC) was formed with representatives from each member state. This committee sits monthly and has the mandate to clear up the finer details of the interpretation and adaptation of the RoHS and WEEE directives. Their unofficial minutes are the absolute best way to keep on top of the latest developments. (Source: New Zealand Trade and Enterprise)
WEEE
The purpose of Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is, as a first priority, the prevention of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and in addition, the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce the disposal of waste. It also seeks to improve the environmental performance of all operators involved in the life cycle of electrical and electronic equipment, e.g. producers, distributors and consumers and in particular those operators directly involved in the treatment of waste electrical and electronic equipment. (Source: Directive 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE))