Think Europe’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) was tough? Meet China RoHS.
Phase One of China RoHS takes effect March 1, and while it has an intent similar to the European Union’s (EU) RoHS, the approach is different. Like RoHS in Europe, China RoHS (officially known as Management Methods for Controlling Pollution by Electronic Information Products) restricts six hazardous substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium VI compounds, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers) from all electronics and electrical products entering the country, including products that were exempt from the EU’s RoHS, such as automotive electronics, radar equipment, semiconductors and other manufacturing equipment, components, packaging materials and some raw materials.

Geoffery Bock, manager of WEEE/RoHS services for TUV Rheinland of North America, estimates that China RoHS will affect nearly 6,000 types of equipment and thousands of manufacturers around the world. Before, many of them were exempted from the EU’s RoHS directive, so there is considerable concern about the looming compliance deadline.

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