Hazard warning! [Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive]

The manufacturing sector must now juggle with the potentially commercially limiting Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive. RoHS looks at the design and manufacturing phase of the product lifecycle. On the surface it is straightforward, requiring companies to restrict six highly toxic substances: lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium and two polybrominated flame retardants. The author explains how the ramifications of RoHS could be far wider reaching than the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive, and, if handled incorrectly, much more commercially damaging to manufacturing companies.