REACHing Across the Divide
Just as component engineering companies had got their heads around the intricacies of RoHS and WEEE legislation, along came the REACH EU directive, the most complex of the European Union laws yet. Much as there is a need for environmental compliance, mechanical design companies are feeling distinctly frazzled at this latest addition to their workload. […]
PCN Alerts – A Growing Problem With REACH Regulation
With the dreaded “gang of three” – RoHS, WEEE and REACH compliance – now in full force, obsolescence management systems are going into overdrive, not least in the fields of electronic component engineering and mechanical design. With environmental compliance now central to everything engineering companies do, it’s no wonder they turn so many of the […]
Obsolescence Management and REACH Legislation
The REACH directive is an unwanted burden to companies already struggling under the weight of WEEE and ROHS compliance. RoHS/WEEE legislation covers just six main chemicals – more than enough for the average CAD designer or DSP programming engineer. REACH covers thousands more, affecting hardware design companies who were previously RoHS-exempt, as well as those […]
Obsolescence Management – RoHS Directive Exemptions
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS/WEEE) directives became legally binding in 2006. Although a number of applications were exempt from the rules, the dates for many of these have expired – with more to follow. This has had tremendous repercussions on hardware design companies whose products are dependent upon […]
The WEEE Problem of Obsolete Semiconductors
Following toxic chemical concerns, the EU RoHS WEEE (Regulation of Hazardous Substances/Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directive became European law in February 2003, with the deadline for full compliance being set at August 2004. The result was thousands of suddenly obsolete semiconductors which had to be replaced with lead-free alternatives. There were six banned chemicals […]