Q1:  What is RoHS?

The European Union Restriction on the use of certain Hazardous Substances Directive came into force on July 1, 2006. From this date on, producers of certain categories of electrical and electronic equipment will not be able to place on the market any new products that contain six banned substances unless specific exemptions apply.

The six substances restricted under the RoHS Directive are:

• Lead - (Pb)
• Mercury - (Hg)
• Hexavalent chromium - (Cr(VI))
• Cadmium - (Cd)
• Polybrominated biphenyl flame retardants - (PBB)
• Polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants - (PBDE)

The maximum 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.

Q2:  Which applications are affected by the RoHS Directive?

• Household appliances.
• IT and telecommunications equipment.
• Consumer equipment.
• Lighting.
• Electrical and electronic tools (except large scale stationary industrial tools).
• Toys, leisure and sports equipment.
• Automatic dispensers

There are some exemptions to the rules. Refer to the regulation for additional information.

Q3:  Does PolyOne produce RoHS compliant products?

Many of the products produced or distributed by PolyOne Corporation are compliant with the European RoHS Directive. In fact to help our customers, PolyOne has reformulated many products to provide compliance. We now offer many Specialty Engineered Materials and Vinyl Compound Wire and Cable products as well as Color Concentrate products that are fully compliant with the European legislations.

Q4:  How do I know if my product is RoHS complaint? How can I get a RoHS certification letter?

Visit our website at: http://www.polyone.com/en-us/docs/rohs.aspx. Also RoHS information is available on many of our Vinyl Compound Wire and Cable Technical Data Sheets. Alternatively, your PolyOne Customer Service representative or Sales person can help coordinate your RoHS request.

Q5:  What is WEEE?

The European Union Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, effective as of August 13, 2005, covers the recyclability of equipment. The WEEE and RoHS Directives were designed to tackle the fast increasing waste stream of electrical and electronic equipment and both Directives complement European Union measures on landfill and incineration of waste. Producers will be responsible for taking back and recycling electrical and electronic equipment. This will provide incentives to design electrical and electronic equipment in an environmentally more efficient way, which takes waste management aspects fully into account.

Q6:  Helpful Links on RoHS and WEEE?

http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_037/l_03720030213en00190023.pdf
http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/pri/en/oj/dat/2003/l_037/l_03720030213en00240038.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/waste/weee/legis_en.htm
http://www.rohs-news.com/whatsrohs.php

Additional Information

PolyOne’s Product Stewardship Team is committed to assuring global compliance for all our products. We are closely monitoring current and developing regulations including the new European REACH Directive. If you have any additional questions feel free to contact us.