Electronics Regulation Expands Beyond EU

The EU's RoHS Directive prohibits import of consumer electronics containing lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) or polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) at levels over 0.1%, or cadmium (Cd) at levels over 0.01%. EU's WEEE directive puts the responsibility for the disposal or recycling of consumer electronics back on the manufacturer.   China, Japan, and Korea have joined the European Union in expanding regulation of manufacturers and users of electrical and electronic products.  The U.S. again seems to be acting as a regulatory free-rider -- allowing stringent regulatory standards to be set by other countries -- and benefiting from those standards as multinational companies must respond strategically by international implementation of recycling and reuse programs.  For a description of Asian product-related environmental regulations, see Park Myth, Misunderstanding, Miscommunications and Mistakes - Fact and In-Depth Analysis of Product-Related Environmental Regulations on Electrical and Electronic Equipment in China, Japan and Korea Abstract