November 22, 2006

California RoHS law

OK, so you might think you are not selling your products in Europe and you don't have to worry about RoHS. Nah!
Beginning in January 1, 2007, a California law will ban the sale of some electronic devices if they are prohibited from sale in the EU because they contain certain toxic metals.
At present CA’s RoHS law will be similar to EU RoHS Directive, but narrower in the scope of affected products and the number of restricted metals.
Here are some highlights of the CA's RoHS law:
  • It applies only to so called “covered electronic devices,” which are defined as video displays with >4" screen (such as CRTs, CRT and LCD TVs, computer monitors, laptop displays, plasma televisions).
  • It does recognize all exemptions adopted by the EU.
  • It restricts only four out of six substances (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Hexavalent chromium) and does not restrict the use of PBBs and PBDEs. However, the use of flame retardants such as PBDEs is already banned under California Health and Safety Code since June 1, 2006.

Complete info is available at California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Also, you may want to get RoHS, WEEE and China RoHS manual as well as China RoHS EFUP guidelines translation.