As modern electrical and electronic appliances consist of a complex mix of components and materials, which in part may include substances that are both harmful to health and the environment, new and stricter environmental and resource-related regulations have become a key influencing factor for the 21 st century`s manufacturing industry.

In January 2003 the European Union reacted to these trends and issued the „RoHS directive“ governing restrictions for the use of specific harmful substances in electrical and electronic devices. This directive was transposed into national German law as the ElektroG act, 23 rd March 2005 and came into force 1 st July 2006. In accordance with it, certain heavy metals and brominated flame retardants are no longer to be used.

Also, in the form of an „Energy Using Products“ (EUP) directive on the energy-saving design of electronic components and REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals), further environmentally-related EU legislation is still to come. In addition many European companies will be affected by the Chinese equivalent of the RoHS directive which comes into force 1 st March 2007 and which includes contains even stricter rules. When one takes everything into account, from a definitive list without exemptions, through checking goods for conformity prior to import, to including expiry dates on labelling, the regulations in the Republic of Germany are among the strictest in the world.

As a an active global supplier of products, services and solutions for industrial and commercial uses of electronic components and computer products, the Arrow Group takes an active stance on this topic. At our „Environmental Compliance Research Center“ at the worldwide Internet platform arrow.com you will find all the latest and important information on RoHS, WEEE, leadfree and other initiatives on the subjects „green electronics“ and „ecodesign“.

More information and links to be found on the following pages: http://www.arrow.com/green