There can be few who have escaped discussion of RoHS – either in the media or, with luck, in the design office. With only eight months to go until the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive comes into force in July 2006, it is time for action. So just how prepared is the UK for RoHS?
Gary Nevison, head of product market strategy for Europe and Asia Pacific at Farnell InOne, says many UK companies are still at the fact finding stage. “Although some are well advanced, many are only just starting to gather information. People are beginning to appreciate there’s a need for speed when it comes to compliance and they’re increasingly eager to find out how RoHS will affect them.”
According to Philip Price, electronics account manager at Envirowise: “Most bigger producers have taken the necessary steps and are well prepared. However, many smaller companies are struggling to meet the deadline, either because they are unsure of the exact requirements of the directive or are facing difficulties in sourcing RoHS compliant specialised parts.”
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