RoHS Compliance FAQ

What is RoHS?

RoHS is the acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. RoHS, also known as Directive 2002/95/EC and RoHS2 also known as RoHS Recast) updated directive 2011/65/EU, originated in the European Union and restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products. All applicable products in the EU market after July 1, 2006 must pass RoHS compliance. For the complete directives, see Directive 2002/95/EC and Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament

What are the restricted materials mandated under RoHS?

The substances banned under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP), Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)

Why is RoHS compliance important?

The restricted materials are hazardous to the environment and pollute landfills, and are dangerous in terms of occupational exposure during manufacturing and recycling.

Which companies are affected by the RoHS Directive?

Any business that sells applicable electronic products, sub-assemblies or components directly to EU countries, or sells to resellers, distributors or integrators that in turn sell products to EU countries, is impacted if they utilize any of the restricted materials.

What is WEEE?

WEEE is the acronym for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment. WEEE, also known as Directive 2002/96/EC, mandates the treatment, recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment. All applicable products in the EU market after August 13, 2006 must pass WEEE compliance and carry the "Wheelie Bin" sticker. For the complete directive, see Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament.

How are RoHS and WEE related?

WEEE compliance aims to encourage the design of electronic products with environmentally-safe recycling and recovery in mind. RoHS compliance dovetails into WEEE by reducing the number of hazardous chemicals used in electronic manufacture.

RoHS Product Compliance Categories

The following product categories are impacted under the RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC:
 1. Large household appliances: refrigerators, washers, stoves, air conditioners
 2. Small household appliances: vacuum cleaners, hairdryers, coffee makers, irons
 3. Computing & communications equipment: computers, printers, copiers, phones
 4. Consumer electronics: TVs, DVD players, stereos, video cameras
 5. Lighting: lamps, lighting fixtures, light bulbs
 6. Power tools: drills, saws, nail guns, sprayers, lathes, trimmers, blowers
 7. Toys and sports equipment: videogames, electric trains, treadmills
 8. Automatic dispensers: vending machines, ATM machines

Then following the RoHS2 recast directive 2011/65/EU:

 9. Medical devices: Including in-vitro diagnostic medical devices

 10. Control and monitoring instruments

 11. All other electrical and electrical equipment not covered by any of these categories

Zygology and RoHS, WEEE & ELV

Zygology is a supplier of fasteners for use in the sheet metal fabrication, automotive and electronics industries and is committed to complying with the RoHS, WEEE and ELV directives and to fully support its customers in their compliance.
  
Products supplied by Zygology do  not use mercury, polybrominated biphenyls or polybrominated diphenyl ethers in, or as a surface coating for any of its products.
  
Since 2004 we have been gradually replacing all plating processes that involved Hexavalent Chromium with a RoHS compliant Cr3 (Trivalent) process for all our standard fasteners.

The following outlines which products are compliant:
  

• All Steel Parts supplied un-plated are RoHS Compliant.
• All Steel Zinc Plated Fasteners are RoHS compliant.
• All Stainless Steel parts are RoHS Compliant.
• All Aluminium parts are RoHS compliant.
• All Brass parts are RoHS compliant.
• All Phosphor Bronze parts are RoHS compliant.
• All part numbers with an ET suffix (Electro Tin) are RoHS compliant. 

Some PEM products carry trace quantities of banned substances. These substances are permitted under the regulation either because they are homogenous or they have specific exemptions for specific industries. For more information on specific PEM products we would direct you to their RoHS website.

http://www.pemnet.com/design_info/RoHS_Compliance.php

Please find below RoHS statements from our key suppliers:-

Penn Engineering

Southco

Stanley Engineered Fastening

Qonnect

Tesa

Future Compliance

We will continue to monitor the situation regarding RoHS, WEEE and ELV to ensure that we are able to support our customers with compliant products into the future. For any help or enquiry into the compliance of any of our products please contact our  sales department.

A PDF version of this page is available for download by clicking here

If you require further information please email our Quality Manager

Helen.McCorkindale@zygology.com or call on 0808 123 1221