What does the P in Norway’s PoHS really stand for?

Here’s a new one for you: PoHS. It’s a term being used for Norway’s Prohibition on Certain Hazardous Substances in Consumer Products, a set of Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)-like rules that aim to restrict or ban 18 substances used in consumer goods.

While the P in PoHS stands for “prohibition,” the wide range of this regulation makes me wonder if the P will also double for “pain” or “pity” when it is implemented.  

Norway is casting a very wide net with its latest environmental directive and while it is being termed PoHS for its similarities to European Union’s RoHS directive, it is indeed a far different regulation. Of the 18 substances PoHS looks to restrict or ban, only lead and cadmium are common to EU RoHS, which in total restricts or bans six substances. EU RoHS also applies directly to electrical and electronic equipment, while PoHS targets consumer equipment, defined as “any product that is intended for consumers or that can reasonably be expected to be used by consumers.” Of specific threat to the electronics supply chain is the possible blacklisting of gallium arsenide (GaAs) through the proposal’s arsenic restriction.

In contrary to its wide range, PoHS will only apply to trade in Norway, however, electronics producers selling into the country that have collected EU RoHS compliance certificates will need to re-source these from suppliers certifying that none of the 18 substances are used in components, unless under exemption.

The Norwegian proposal aims to be implemented as an additional chapter in the Norwegian Product Regulations legislation and is currently the subject of public consultation. PoHS is scheduled to be adopted on December 15, 2007, and to come into force on January, 1 2008. Because it’s a ways off and perhaps because Norway isn’t as big a market as, say, China for the electronics supply chain, there isn’t much out there on it. Here’s the best link I came across on PoHS. It’s a page from RoHS International Ltd. that links to the draft regulation and guidance notes, among other online resources. Also, here’s a good article on PoHS from our sister publication Electronics Weekly that goes into more detail of the GaAS threat. 

I’m curious to hear your thoughts on PoHS. Comments are welcome below.