While US manufacturers of electronic and electrical equipment should be gearing up for the European Union’s impending WEEE and RoHS initiatives more than half don’t know what they need to do to comply. This is according to an online survey conducted by TUV Rheinland of North America.
The directives (Waste from Electronic and Electrical Equipment and Reduction of Hazardous Substances) are meant to increase recycling by reducing waste and decreasing the use of hazardous chemicals in the manufacture of electronic and electrical equipment, including lead in conventional solder.
The company says this lack of understanding and information presents a serious situation for makers of such products. Any company that manufacturers in, or exports to the European Union (including Australian and NZ companies) will be required to comply with the WEEE and RoHS directives by specific dates in the near future (August 2005 for WEEE and February 2006 for RoHS). Any manufacturer that fails to do so will have its products banned from sale in EU member countries.
In an effort to keep ahead of the directives and help its base of clients, TUV Rheinland has taken an educational and consultative approach towards the affected manufacturers.
“We’ve taken a global approach to compliance management. We are offering regular informational web seminars about WEEE and RoHS, as well as custom onsite seminars and consulting,” says Deep Krishnan of the company.