Product category:
Compliance Engineering
News Release from: SGS | Subject: RoHS programme
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 15 November 2005
Programme promises painless RoHS
compliance
SGS has created a new programme specifically aimed at helping producers meet the strict requirements of RoHS and to take corrective actions to meet the maximum concentration of substances allowed.
The RoHS legislation covers the restriction of lead and other potentially hazardous substances used in electrical and electronic equipment Known as Directive 2002/95/EC, it will be enforced throughout the EU from 1st July 2006
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 27 Aug 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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Its purpose is very clear - to restrict the use of six substances within electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), thereby contributing to the protection of human health and the environment.
For many this is a considerable environmental challenge.
Whereas the WEEE Directive sets minimum levels for recycling that must be met but may be exceeded, RoHS is very explicit about which substances should be restricted and the precise levels that may be tolerated.
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New ISO17025 accredited laboratory offers a full range of analytical testing services covering all the RoHS restricted elements.
Compliance testing for measuring instruments
SGS United Kingdom has extended its Notified Body approval to include most of the range of products covered by the Measuring Instruments Directive (MID) 2004/22/EC.
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SGS Institut Fresenius has extended its laboratory analysis portfolio to include analytical quality assurance.
Although RoHS is an EU directive, manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment outside Europe must also abide by this legislation if the equipment they produce is ultimately imported into an EU member state for use in Europe.
The definition and interpretation of the directive should not vary across EU member countries, so companies which have achieved RoHS certification are able to distribute throughout this economic area.
As required for compliance to the RoHS Directive, as a first step (and before certification) all producers must be registered.
From 23rd November 2005, it will be illegal to sell certain electrical and electronic equipment into Germany if the producer has not completed formal registration there.
SGS has created a new programme specifically aimed at helping producers meet the strict requirements of RoHS and where necessary, take corrective actions to meet the maximum concentration of substances allowed.
The company's RoHS programme employs individuals with genuine legislative and component knowledge who can apply reason, interpretation and skill to resolve the most challenging RoHS and WEEE related issues.
The company's goal is to help companies minimise the financial and administrative burden that this complex legislation requires.
The RoHS programme is a single product certification which can be extended to for certification of a product series, as long as the range of products are produced using the same raw materials, the management system has a similar function and the "basic design" has not changed significantly.
The RoHS certificate is valid for 5 years.
The RoHS certification programme has three different classes of certificates: ROHS-1 complies with the RoHS Directive; ROHS-2 complies with the RoHS Directive plus additional criteria which are more stringent than the RoHS Directive and includes requirements from international companies (for example Sony-00259); and ROHS-3 complies with the Joint Industry Guide (JIG), which stipulates the hazardous substances and is accepted by the different organizations as per EICTA (Europe), JGPSSI (Japan), EIA(USA) and JEDEC (USA).
The applicant must be either be the product manufacturer who owns the brand under which the product is distributed or the person who authorizes another original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to produce the product on their behalf.
At a first step SGS will certify only homogenous material and electrical components.
Once certified, a commitment that the product sold on the market is identical with the certified product and is produced by same production process and same constituents is required.
SGS has 24 accredited RoHS labs worldwide and 1000 specialists in this field, providing RoHS services to ensure that the electrical and electronics industry has the requisite independent data for a RoHS compliance declaration to be granted.
An integrated reliable evaluation of RoHS conformity within the framework of product testing and certification provides legal security and improves market presence and recognition.
The SGS RoHS programme helps manufacturers, retailers and suppliers mitigate the risk of noncompliance to global and national restricted substances regulations.
With a proven track record in product safety certification compiled over more than 80 years, SGS provides a respected third-party source to help clients monitor their supply chains and self-declare compliance with confidence. Request a free brochure from SGS ...
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