European electronics come under new hazardous material rules

A directive by the European Economic Union is expected to have a huge impact on the electronics industry because it restricts the use of hazardous materials commonly used in electrical equipment and communications cabling. The EEC’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) restricts the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and the polybrominated flame retardants PBB and PBDEs. The directive became effective on January 1.