RoHS and WEEE directives

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As part of GarrettCom’s commitment to becoming the supplier of choice for Ethernet products, we would like to keep you informed on the impending EU Directives on RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electrical& Electronic Equipment).

These directives will significantly impact the Global electronics industry as component manufacturers and end equipment makers are obliged to change their processes to comply with the legislation. We understand that these directives will also affect many of you and your businesses to some degree or another. The two directives are described in more detail below:

RoHS

The purpose of the RoHS Directive is to restrict the use of certain hazardous substances and reduce the waste management problems linked to substances likely to pose risks to health and the environment. The RoHS Directive specifically addresses the reduction of use and ultimate banning of the following substances:

Cadmium
Hexavalent Chromium
Lead
Mercury
PBBs (Polybrominated biphenyls)
PBDEs (Polybrominated diphenyl ethers)

WEEE

The WEEE Directive aims to raise the level of recycling of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and encourages manufacturers to create products with recycling in mind. A key part of this is to make manufacturers and importers ("producers") of EEE responsible for meeting the costs of the collection, treatment and recovery/disposal of WEEE. Numerous countries across the world are gearing up to enforce new environmental regulations that govern the manufacture and disposal of products that include electronic components. The European Union's WEEE takes effect from August 2005, and the RoHS will be in force from July, 2006.

GarrettCom compliance

GarrettCom is fully committed to having all* of our products RoHS compliant. RoHS compliant products will have the letter “Z” at the end of product numbers to allow easy differentiation.

*Only our oldest legacy products will be excluded. GarrettCom will also be able to provide non-RoHS compliant products for customers that are exempt such as the Military.
**Like every other manufacturer we are dependent on RoHS compliant components being made available.

Further information on the RoHS directive can be found at http://www.rohsguide.com/