The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment 2002/95/EC commonly referred to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive or RoHS) was adopted in February 2003 by the European Union. The RoHS directive took effect on 1 July 2006, and is required to be enforced and become law in each member state. This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment.

Each European Union member state has adopted or will adopt its own enforcement and implementation policies using the directive as a guide.

RoHS is often referred to as the lead-free directive, but it restricts the use of the following six substances:

1. Lead (Pb)
2. Mercury (Hg)
3. Cadmium (Cd)
4. Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺)
5. Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
6. Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)

The maximum permitted concentrations are 0.1% except for cadmium, which is limited to 0.01% by weight of homogeneous material. This means that the limits do not apply to the weight of the finished product, or even to a component, but to any single substance that could (theoretically) be separated mechanically for example, the sheath on a cable or the tinning on a component lead.

NICOMATIC is pleased to inform his clients that all NICOMATIC products are in compliance with the RoHS directive 2002/95/CE starting 01/01/2005 including RoHS II or Recast RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. Please read through our official letter available underneath.