Description
With the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations scheduled to take effect in July 2006, there is ongoing concern regarding the readiness of American companies to meet new European standards. Initiated by the European Union, RoHS is a direct response to growing calls for the regulation of materials deemed hazardous (including lead, cadmium, and mercury) in consumer electronic equipment. Potentially packing the greatest global impact of any single environmental regulation over the past 25 years, RoHS will affect all electronics manufacturers in some way, across the EU, the United States, and beyond. As consumer and environmental concerns gain more and more momentum and political traction, RoHS seems likely to be the beginning of a global trend. Some of the world’s other prime economic regions, including China, Japan, and Taiwan are already working on similar laws (China calls its the Regulation for Pollution Control of Electronic Products), and the geographic market for non-compliant products is shrinking. In today’s global economy, wide ranging regulatory measures such as these have an often profound impact on the operations of affected organizations. We operate in a wide open, ultra-competitive environment where it is imperative to be attuned to new regulations, and essential to be equipped with information that can help preserve a company’s growth potential. By knowing how RoHS impacts a company and learning what is required for compliance, companies can stay one step ahead of the game and one step ahead of the competition. To help you and your organization do that, this paper will touch on the three key questions: * What is RoHS? * How will RoHS affect my company? * How can I comply? “RoHS looks more and more likely to be the beginning of a global trend.