|
Brussels, |
|
Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS)
The RoHS Directive limits the presence of specific hazardous substances in EEE. It complements the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which promotes the collection and recycling of end-of-life electronics.
The current Directives aim to reduce the environmental and health risks posed by toxic components in electronic devices.
The current Directives aim to reduce the environmental and health risks posed by toxic components in electronic devices.
- Main restricted substances: lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
- Scope: Most electrical and electronic products must comply unless specifically excluded (e.g., certain industrial/medical devices may have exemptions under defined conditions).
Key Objectives
- Protect health and the environment: Prevent hazardous chemicals from entering the waste stream, air, soil, and water.
- Promote recyclability: Reduce toxic components in EEE so that recycling processes are safer and more efficient.
- Harmonize rules within the EU: Ensure a level playing field for manufacturers and importers placing products on the European market.
Thought about RoHS and hazardous substances per 34 secondiBelow are some indicative data and trends illustrating the impact of RoHS in Europe. Please note that exact statistics may differ depending on the source and the year of reporting.
1. Growth of Electrical and Electronic Waste
- Rapidly increasing WEEE: According to the European Commission, waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU, with an estimated 12 million tonnes generated annually in recent years.
- Per capita generation: Eurostat data suggest that, on average, each EU citizen discards around 17–20 kg of WEEE per year, a number which has been steadily rising.
2. Decrease in Hazardous Substances in EEE
- Lead usage: Since the first RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC) came into effect, the use of lead in new electronic devices in the EU is estimated to have fallen by up to 80–90%.
- Mercury usage: Mercury in EEE has dropped by more than 90% compared to levels before RoHS restrictions.
- Cadmium & other restricted substances: Similar trends are observed for cadmium, hexavalent chromium, and the original brominated flame retardants (PBB, PBDE), which have largely been phased out in new EEE placed on the market.
Sources
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) (reports on substance use)
3. WEEE Collection and Recycling Rates
- Collection rates: The WEEE Directive (Directive 2012/19/EU) sets targets for EU Member States to collect a rising proportion of discarded EEE. According to Eurostat, the official collection rate in many EU countries has improved from around 37% in 2013 to over 45% in recent years, though performance varies significantly by Member State.
- Recycling & recovery: Once collected, 80–90% of the material in large household appliances (e.g., refrigerators, washing machines) is often recovered or recycled, thanks to improved technology and design changes prompted by RoHS and related legislation.
- Ongoing challenges: Illegal exports, hoarding of old electronics at home, and informal recycling practices still create data gaps and impede higher collection rates.
