Contract to investigate RoHS compliance metrics

ERA Technology has been awarded a contract by the DTI to investigate the ways in which manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the RoHS Directive.

ERA Technology has been awarded a contract by the UK Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to investigate the ways in which manufacturers can demonstrate compliance with the requirements of the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive.

The project is being funded by the DTI on behalf of the EC Technical Adaptation Committee (TAC), which oversees the implementation of the RoHS Directive throughout the European Union (EU).

The RoHS Directive will have a considerable impact on a wide range of product manufacturers and importers.

From 1st July 2006, the directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in new electrical and electronic products.

Any new product that fails to meet the requirements of the Directive cannot be sold within the EU.

Dr Chris Robertson, Head of Reliability and Failure Analysis at ERA, explained: "The directive requires member states to enforce it but does not, however, state how a product can be judged to comply.

Working with the DTI, ERA will produce an independent assessment of the issues involved in demonstrating compliance, from self-declaration through to appropriate methods of material analysis".

Steve Andrews, in charge of RoHS at the DTI's Recycling Policy Unit, said: "UK Government is committed to ensuring that the RoHS Directive implementation is both effective and workable.

It is in everyone's interest that a common approach to assessing RoHS compliance is adopted across the EU and this project marks an essential step forward in defining how best to do this".

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