About RoHS and Related European Union Banned Substances Directives

RoHS is short for “Restriction of Hazardous Substances.”  It is a European Union directive which restricts the use of four metals and two flame retardants in electrical and electronic equipment.  The purpose of the directive is to protect people by preventing hazardous substances from degrading the environment, particularly the ground water.

Member states are directed to enact RoHS enforcement legislation to become effective July 1, 2006.  All manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment sold in Europe will be subject to the legislation.

The European Commission has also enacted two other similar directives to protect the environment.  The End of Life Vehicle Directive, ELV, and the Waste Electrical & Electronics Environmental Directive, WEEE.

                        RoHS, WEEE and ELV Summary Outline

RoHS Banned Materials

RoHS bans lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium with very few tolerances or exceptions.  Compliance with the hexavalent chromium prohibition will be the greatest challenge for fastener users because the standard zinc plating on steel fasteners is finished with hexavalent chromate.  The directive also bans two flame retardants, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).

                       RoHS Banned Materials Summary Outline

How We Can Help

We look forward to working with you to help you ensure that the products you specify and buy from Western Fastener are RoHS compliant as you require.  We can help you identify specifications that call out non-compliant features for the items you buy from us, then offer alternatives.  Once your specifications are modified, it will be important to request quotes and place orders clearly calling out these features.

Western Fastener RoHS Compliance Guidelines

Hot Links

European Links:  Click here for links to European Commission, United Kingdom government and British private sector Web sites to help you with your RoHS research.

Manufacturer Links:  Click here for links to position letters, compliance statements and related RoHS information from a variety of fastener and assembly hardware manufacturers and master distributors.