The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) aims to minimise the impacts of electrical and electronic equipment on the environment during their life times and when they become waste. It applies to a huge spectrum of products. It encourages and sets criteria for the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. All products manufactured by ProAVM have the WEEE directive label placed on the case. It gives a contact for individuals who are unsure about the correct procedure when the product has reached its "end of use".

Shortly we will be listing all of the products we manufacture with the major components material contents and the method of correct disposal.

ProAVM will be happy to give you information about local organisations that can reprocess the products, or alternatively all products that have reached "end of use" can be returned to ProAVM and will be reprocessed correctly free of charge.

RoHS Directives.
ProAVM Statement
The RoHS Directive will ban the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants from 1 July 2006. There are a number of exempted applications for these substances. RoHS takes its scope broadly from the WEEE Directive. Manufacturers will need to ensure that their products - and their components - comply in order to stay on the Single Market. If they do not, they will need to redesign products.

The RoHS Directive comes into force on 1st July 2006 and restricts the use of six restricted substances, listed below, in electronic and electrical equipment within Europe.

Hazardous Substance	Allowed PPM Level
Cadmium (Cd)	100ppm (0.01%)
Lead (Pb)	1000ppm (0.1%)
Mercury (Hg)	1000ppm (0.1%)
Hexavalent Chromium (CrVI)	1000ppm (0.1%)
Polybrominated Biphenyl's (PBB's)	1000ppm (0.1%)
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE's)	1000ppm (0.1%)

From 1st July 2006 any new electronic or electrical equipment sold in Europe must not contain these hazardous substances in excess of the permitted levels indicated above. However, the directive does allow provision for some specific exclusions such as lead in glass and ceramics etc. Equipment used for military and medical purposes, together with monitoring and control instrumentation, are also exempt.

ProAVM is fully committed to the aims and requirements of the RoHS Directive and will be able to confirm the status of our products and predict compliance dates, provided the relevant information is available from our suppliers.

Design in environmental sustainability and principles on restricted materials

During the design process increased attention has been placed on the environmental impact of electronic products, particularly the use of materials that may have an adverse impact on the environment at product end-of-life. Materials such as heavy metals and plastics containing certain halogenated flame-retardants can pose potential environmental hazards if not managed properly during the manufacturing process or with incorrect disposal at end-of-life. The emphasis of ProAVM design management program is not only compliance with existing or upcoming legal requirements such as the WEEE and RoHS directives but also meeting customer requirements to eliminate or minimize the use of certain substances in the existing products supplied and to design new products that are easily recyclable.

Examples of environmental design concepts that are incorporated into all ProAVM product lines include:

Environmentally sensitive material reductions.

No ozone depleting CFCs or HCFCs are used in the manufacturing processes. We have actively pursued a reduction in the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) mechanical parts.

Following the introduction of the RoHS Directive and the forthcoming restriction of lead in soldering materials different process parameters will be required to handle the new generation of solder alloys and board finishes.

Initial design considerations and component choice for the transition to lead-free new products and the successful implementation in existing products

Optimisation of circuit design to use smaller and more efficient electronic components with an increase in the use of surface mount components and advanced assembly techniques.

Products specifically designed for ease of assembly and disassembly. Most products have been designed to include as few fixings as possible. The chassis or internal cases are made of easily recyclable aluminium, steel or stainless steel.

Brominated Flame Retardants
Flame retardants (FR) are chemicals which, when added to materials during or after manufacture, inhibit or even suppress the combustion process. The use of flame-retardants in the manufacture of electronic equipment, upholstered furniture, construction materials and textiles has been shown to save many lives in the event of fire.

Although fires are rare in electronic goods, in its event flame-retardants prevent the spread of fire or delay the propagation of fire in order to allow individuals to identify and escape from a potentially harmful situation. Because of this important safety benefit, the electronics industry continues to use flame-retardants in its products.

There are several different "families" of flame-retardants including:

• Halogenated (brominated) flame-retardants
• Phosphorous-based flame-retardants
• Inorganic flame-retardants

Due to environmental concerns, certain brominated flame retardants (PBBs, PBDEs) either have been, or will be, phased out of electronic products. Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBA) is widely used as a flame retardant in printed circuit boards and represents over half of the total amount of brominated flame-retardants that are consumed worldwide.

Approximately 96% of printed circuit boards contain TBBA.

Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB's) compounds have historically been used in electronic equipment, however worldwide production of such compounds ceased in May 2000 due to concerns over the compounds being potential endocrine disrupting chemicals.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's) continue to be used in electronic products, on a limited basis, primarily in plastics. Due to legislative and market pressures, however, the use of PBDEs in electronics is declining sharply.

TBBA is used either as a reactive flame retardant (primary use, where the chemical reacts with and is chemically bound to the polymer) or as an additive flame retardant (mixed with the polymer before it sets). A typical printed circuit board may contain 1-2% TBBA. Limited viable alternatives have been found for TBBA's use as a reactive flame retardant that equal TBBA’s on cost, fire safety and human health risks.

Health and safety impacts of Brominated Flame Retardants

Brominated flame-retardants have received negative publicity over the past decade due to concerns over the environmental and toxicological risks posed by certain brominated compounds upon disposal and/or incineration, particularly in Japan and Europe.

Plastics (many of which contain flame retardants) represent an average of 20% by weight of current electronic products; in areas where landfill space is limited (i.e. Japan) significant amounts of plastics from waste electronic products are incinerated upon disposal. Upon incineration, certain flame retardants (PBBs and some PBDEs) have the potential to form dioxin compounds, which are released into the environment and can have adverse human health and ecological effects.

According the Bromine Science and Environmental Forum (BSEF), concerns over dioxin and furan formation during incineration have been rendered a thing of the past by the advanced incinerator technology that is now available (incinerate at temperatures >800 F). As to any potential risk due to exposure to dioxins and furans from accidental fires, studies have shown that even fire-fighters who face a high number of accidental fires are not adversely affected.

Phosphorus-based flame-retardants have not been shown to form dioxins or furans upon incineration. Little to no data has been published regarding the leach ability of phosphorus-based flame retarded material upon land filling.

Current and future restrictions of use

Current PBB/PBDE Restrictions

Restricted Application	Threshold (mg/kg=ppm)	Reference
All applications (plastics, circuit boards, etc.)	1000	EU RoHS Directive

Current TBBA/Brominated Epoxy Restrictions

Restricted Application	Threshold (mg/kg=ppm)	Reference
Mechanical plastic parts Including cases, but excluding cables, Interconnect parts, and printed circuit boards.	1000	Customer information for recycling

Information link: http://www.mst.dk/udgiv/Publications/1999/87-7909-416-3/html/helepubl_eng.htm#kap1.2

Cadmium
Cadmium is a natural element in the earth's crust. It is usually found as a mineral combined with other elements such as oxygen (cadmium oxide), chlorine (cadmium chloride), or sulphur (cadmium sulphate, cadmium sulphide). All soils and rocks, including coal and mineral fertilizers, contain some cadmium. Most cadmium used is extracted during the production of other metals like zinc, lead, and copper. Cadmium does not corrode easily and has been used in products such as batteries, pigments, metal coatings, and plastics. Cadmium may be used as a surface finish on circuit boards, in electrical contact alloys for relays and switches. Rechargeable nickel-cadmium batteries were commonly used in the early-1990s, but have since been eliminated.

Health and safety impacts of Cadmium

Cadmium compounds enter the air from mining, industry and burning coal and household wastes. Most foods contain trace amounts of cadmium; grains and cereal products usually constitute the main source of cadmium in the diet. Chronic, long-term exposure to lower levels of cadmium in air, food or water leads to build up of cadmium in the kidneys and possible kidney disease. Primary human exposure to cadmium occurs via ingestion due to uptake of cadmium by plants from fertilizers, sewage sludge and atmospheric deposition.

Current and future restrictions of use

Cadmium and cadmium compounds have been restricted in certain applications in electronic products, primarily in the European Union, however broad legislative restrictions such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive will eliminate the use of cadmium in electronic products by July 1, 2006.

Restricted Application	Threshold (mg/kg=ppm)	Reference
All applications, except certain plating operations; Paints, plastic parts, stabilizers.	75	EU RoHS directive, 91/338/EEC, adds to 76/769/EEC
Packaging materials	100	94/62/EEC
Batteries	250	91/157/EEC

Information link: http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group29/cadtox.htm
Information link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/csf/031216/pdf/CSF-03-68A1.pdf

Chromium VI (Hexavalent Chromium)
Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, animals, plants, soil, and in volcanic dust and gases. The earth's crust and rocks contain about 100 ppm chromium; soils contain, on average, about 400 ppm chromium.

Chromium is present in the environment in several different forms. The most common forms are chromium (0), chromium (III), and chromium (VI). No taste or odour is associated with chromium compounds.

Chromium (III) occurs naturally in the environment and is an essential nutrient. Chromium (VI) and chromium (0) are generally produced by industrial processes.

The metal chromium, which is the chromium (0) form, is used for making steel. Chromium (VI) and chromium (III) are used for chrome plating, dyes and pigments, leather tanning, and wood preserving.

Chromium (VI) has historically been used by the electronics industry as an anti-corrosion treatment, as well as an electrical shielding material for certain sheet metals.

Health and safety impacts of Chromium VI

The primary routes of potential human exposure to chromium and certain chromium compounds are inhalation, ingestion and dermal contact. Hexavalent chromium (chromium VI) compounds are of greater health concern than trivalent (chromium III) compounds, but hexavalent chromium compounds are readily reduced to trivalent forms in the presence of organic matter.

Stainless steel welding involves the greatest exposure to hexavalent chromium.

Hexavalent chromium and its compounds should be considered probable carcinogens in humans exposed by inhalation.

Current and future restrictions of use

Chromium VI and its compounds have been restricted in certain applications in electronic products, legislative restrictions such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive will eliminate the use of chromium VI compounds in electronic products by July 1, 2006.

Restricted Application	Threshold (mg/kg=ppm)	Reference
All applications, Paints, plastic parts and stabilizers.	1000	EU RoHS directive, 76/769/EEC
Packaging materials	100	94/62/EEC

Lead
Lead is a bluish grey metal and a naturally occurring raw material and can be found in all parts of our environment. Much of the lead in our environment comes from human activities including burning fossil fuels, mining and manufacturing. Lead has been used for a variety of applications throughout human history due to its special properties. Lead is used in most electronics because it is uniquely capable of meeting the stringent performance standards required by current technology.

Lead makes up 37% of the tin-lead solder that connects chips and other electronic components to printed circuit boards, it is used as a radiation shielding in monitor glass, and it is sometimes used as a plastic stabilizer in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) cabling applications. Some PVC cable and wire sheathing contains lead sulphate in small amounts to prevent breakdown of the plastic cable due to ultraviolet exposure and high heat.

Health and safety impacts of Lead

Exposure to lead can occur from breathing both outdoor and indoor air or dust, eating contaminated foods or drinking contaminated water. Lead can affect almost every organ and system in the body. The most sensitive is the central nervous system, particularly in children. Lead exposures may also damage kidneys and the reproductive system. Adverse health effects from lead are typically the same whether it is inhaled or swallowed.

Current and future restrictions of use

Lead and lead compounds have been restricted in certain applications in electronic products, primarily in Europe, however broad legislative restrictions such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive will eliminate the use of lead in key electronic components (circuit boards, cables, etc.) by July 1, 2006.

Restricted Application	Threshold (mg/kg=ppm)	Reference
Paints, plastic parts, cables	300	89/677/EEC, 76/769/EEC
Packaging materials	100	94/62/EEC
Batteries	400	91/157/EEC
Lead solder	1000	RoHS directive

Information link: http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group29/leadtox.htm
Information link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/csf/031216/pdf/CSF-03-68A1.pdf

Mercury
Mercury is an odourless, lustrous liquid metal that sinks in water. It is released from the earth's crust through degassing. It is an ingredient in many compounds, such as methyl mercury, which pose a greater human health risk than mercury alone. It is used to produce hydrochloric acid, sodium hypochlorite and other caustic or corrosive chemicals.

Like gold and silver, mercury is a heavy metal that is extremely malleable, expanding and contracting according to temperature. Its unique properties are suited to numerous technological and manufacturing products and processes.

In dentistry, for instance, mercury is used in fillings because of its strength and ability to accommodate the temperature ranges of the foods and liquids we eat or drink. Mercury compounds are typically used by the electronics industry in level indicators, guards, relays, electrical switches and energy efficient mercury-containing bulbs. There are three common forms of mercury - methyl, elemental and inorganic.

Health and safety impacts of Mercury

Mercury usually gets into the environment in the elemental or inorganic forms. Biological processes change the chemical form to methyl mercury, which is the most toxic form that has been found in elevated levels in some fish. Methyl mercury bio accumulates through the food chain and once ingested, can affect the adult nervous system and foetal development. Coal-fired electric power stations are typically the largest source of human-caused mercury air emissions

Current and future restrictions of use

Mercury and mercury compounds have been restricted in certain applications in electronic products, primarily in Europe, however broad legislative restrictions such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive will eliminate the use of mercury compounds in electronic products by July 1, 2006.

Restricted Application	Threshold (mg/kg=ppm)	Reference
All applications except for display lamps	5 mg/bulb	EU RoHS directive, 76/769/EEC
Packaging materials	100	94/62/EEC
Batteries	5	91/157/EEC

Information link: http://www.portfolio.mvm.ed.ac.uk/studentwebs/session2/group29/merctox.htm
Information link: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/chemicals/csf/031216/pdf/CSF-03-68A1.pdf

Useful websites for further information

http://www.recyclingappeal.com/mariecurie
http://www.afdec.org.uk
http://www.smartgroup.org
http://www.leadfreesoldering.com
http://www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee
http://www.era.co.uk/services/rohs.asp
http://www.frcawley.co.uk
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk
http://www.defra.gov.uk
http://www.recycle-more.co.uk