Marking of electronic devices

Marking of electronic devices

Nowadays, technology and technique is developing rapidly which results in the increase of waste of electrical and electronic equipment. The European Union has inforced some laws in order to minimize the threats and increase the environemnt protection. Therefore, the following directives have been introduced: WEEE, RoHS and CE Marking.

WEEE Directive

WEEE is the European Community Directive and became European Law in February 2003.The directive imposes the responsibility for the disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment on the manufacturers or distributors of such equipment.

RoHS Directive

The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment took effect on 1 July 2006.

This directive restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment.RoHS is often referred to as the lead-free directive, but it restricts the use of the following six substances:lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, polybrominated diphenyl ether. The directive applies to equipment as defined by a section of the WEEE directive.

The following numeric categories apply:

• Large household appliances

• Small household appliances

• IT and telecomunications

• Consumer equipment

• Lighting equipment—including light bulbs

• Electronic and electrical tools

• Toys, leisure, and sports equipment

• Automatic dispensers

• Semiconductor devices.

WEEE and RoHS directives have to be followed by companies and individuals who:

• produce and sell electronics and electrical equipment under their own brand;

• resell equipment produced by other compenies under their own brand;

• import or export electronics or electrical devices from the UE countries.

CE Marking

With the CE marking on a product, the manufacturer declares that the product conforms with the essential requirements of the applicable EC directives. It obliges everyone who launches products to the EEA (European Economic Area) and Turkey.

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