Guides

Despite the hassle many electronics companies went through to find alternative substances to replace materials forbidden by EU RoHS, a new challenge will soon appear: the EU’s Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals, a regulation that will control the use of tens of thousands of chemicals, many of which are used in the electronics supply chain.

The final text of the directive, adopted in December 2006 and published in the organization's Official Journal on December 18, 2006.

Information straight from the Commission on the chemicals regulation.

Now that most OEMs that sell electronic products in Europe have made their adjustments to comply with RoHS, it’s time for them to prepare for additional demands on the content of chemicals in electronic components.

The European Chemicals Agency will be set up under legislation on REACH, which is planned to enter into force in 2007. When established, the Agency is an independent body of the European Union with headquarters in Helsinki, Finland.

Here, the European Commission outlines the "Limitations Directive" for what it considers dangerous substances and preparations.