Support Swells for U.S. Version of RoHS

By Colleen Taylor -- Electronic News, 12/27/2006

The results of a three-month online poll conducted by electronics distributor Newark InOne showed an "overwhelming" sentiment from respondents that Congress should enact a Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) law, the company said, thereby creating a single compliance standard for all U.S. states.

The European Union's RoHS directive took effect July 1 and restricts the amount of lead and five other substances that can be used in new electronic and electrical equipment sold to EU countries. Newark InOne has been a cheerleader for the enactment of a similar directive in the U.S. for months

The poll was launched in mid-September following an industry warning from Newark InOne's president, Paul Tallentire, that the upcoming California RoHS-style rule that takes effect January 1, sets a dangerous precedent.

"Increasing and varying state-by-state rules are already causing unnecessary complexity for electronic manufacturers and distributors who must try to track and meet them all, " he said.  "Are we going to wait until we have 50 state laws with 50 flavors, before we enact a uniform national standard for our industry?"

According to the company, the final results of Newark InOne's online poll showed 1028 respondents clicked "yes", 478 clicked "no", and 78 were "unsure". The poll concluded December 12. Visitors to the site are primarily engineers and component buyers, Newark InOne said.