|
EU RoHS: Enforcement Updates
May 2007 (07B-125)
The European Union’s RoHS Directive has been effective for nine months. Many manufacturers and producers are now beginning to ask, “How are EU enforcement bodies monitoring and enforcing the RoHS Directive?”
“Manual of Decision” Published to Assist EU Enforcement Bodies
The long awaited “Manual of Decision” was published by the EU RoHS Competent Body Network in March. The purpose of this Manual is to assist the Enforcement Bodies and Industry in accurately determining whether specific electrical and electronic equipment are covered by the RoHS Directive. This Manual is an agreed upon document among Member States cooperating within the EU RoHS Competent Bodies Network to help facilitate the effective and uniform enforcement of the RoHS Directive. Alongside with the “Enforcement Guidance Document” published in May 2006, this new Manual provides the basis for enforcement guidelines.
To view a copy of the Manual of Decision, please visit: http://www.envir.ee/orb.aw/class=file/action=preview/id=409455/RoHS-MOD+annexes+A-D+version+1+13032007.pdf. To view the “Enforcement Guidance Document”, visit: http://www.rohs.gov.uk/Docs/Links/RoHS%20Enforcement%20Guidance%20Document%20-%20v.1%20May%202006.pdf
Actions by EU Enforcement Bodies
According to the EU RoHS Competent Body Network, EU Member States’ enforcement bodies have begun to monitor compliance. The following are actions taken by some Member States:
UK: Current policy is to help producers of non-compliant products in the first instance. So far, Authorities have:
 Monitored the media and accepted tips from whistleblowers or citizens.
Established a database with risk profiles of producers based on criteria such as product type, company size, market performance, and whistleblower reports.
Tested items selected at random from retail shelves, using XRF to establish compliance.
Taken action to seek documentary evidence from some manufacturers on targeted consumer goods.
Recently targeted firms assembling and selling personal computers in the UK, industrial equipment to follow.
According to the UK agency responsible for enforcement, the UK National Weights and Measures Laboratory (NWML) RoHS team, 99% of products are 99% compliant. NWML has been very close to prosecuting companies, to the point of assembling formal case files.
Denmark: Disposable cameras were withdrawn from a retail store for testing and the company was asked for documentation, according to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
Belgium: RoHS authorities specifically targeted cheap products without a famous brand that were often the promotion of the week in big retail shops.
For More Information: Bureau Veritas offers comprehensive RoHS compliance services for electrical and electronic products. For further details, please visit: http://www.bvrohs.com or contact your client services representative directly.
Click to download a PDF file of Bulletin
Click here for a complete list of our Regulatory Bulletins
Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. (“BVCPS”) provides the information in this client bulletin as a resource of general information. It does not replace any applicable legal or regulatory requirements and is provided “as is.” BVCPS will not be liable for any indirect, special, punitive, consequential or other damages (including without limitation lost profits) of any kind in connection with this client bulletin. BVCPS DISCLAIMS ALL REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, IN CONNECTION WITH THIS CLIENT BULLETIN.
Copyright © 2007 Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
