Currently, the world community pays more and more attention to environmental issues. The leaps and bounds are the development of new technologies, mining, development of deserts and mountains. However, along with the positive aspects, the reverse negative aspects are directly related to them: environmental pollution, the disappearance of flora and fauna, deforestation, the destruction of the ozone layer, the exhaustion of non-renewable resources , etc. All these factors negatively affect the life and health of a person and his descendants. In order to protect the remaining natural wealth, as well as to prevent the emergence of various types of deadly and dangerous diseases associated with modern developments, the countries of the world are striving to introduce bans on the use of substances harmful to a living organism. One such directive is the RoHS regulation. What it is and to what types of activities it is applied is described in this article.
Limitation of the use of hazardous substances
In July 2006, at a regular meeting of the member states of the European Union , a directive was signed according to which a restriction was introduced on the use of certain components in the development of electronic or electrical equipment. This regulation is called RoHS. What does this mean in decryption? Restriction of Hazardous Substances - this is the full name of the directive. This phrase is translated as "restriction of the use of hazardous substances." I would like to note that this directive is not the first of its kind. It only replenished an ever-growing number of documents regulating new technologies that are acceptable for the environment. The original decree, which relied on in the struggle for a clean planet, was the WEEE European Union directive. This abbreviation stands for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment, which means “waste from electrical and electronic equipment”. Soon it was supplemented by a RoHS document. It was hard to believe that this decree would become so popular and find support not only in Europe, but also far beyond its borders. However, today, thanks to the measures taken in the field of legislation, there is a struggle around the world for the ecological balance and the use of harmless technologies.
Failure to use hazardous elements: six no
The RoHS document restricts the use of the following six substances.
- Lead. In a periodic chemical system, this element is referred to as Pb. Lead is one of the most dangerous substances that destructively affect living organisms. The highest concentration of this material and compounds with its participation in goods should not exceed 0.1% of the total volume.
- Cadmium. Its Latin designation is Cd. The percentage of this element should not exceed 0.01 of the total mass.
- Mercury. This hazardous substance refers to metals and is designated as Hg in the periodic system. The maximum concentration of this material cannot be higher than 0.1%.
- Similar mercury requirements apply to hexavalent chromium (Cr + 6). By its nature, this substance is a powerful oxidizing agent and a very toxic material.
- In addition, a compound with bromine (Br) such as polybrominated biphenyls is very toxic.
- Polybrominated diphenylethers. Often these materials (5 and 6) are used in electronic technologies as elements that are not subject to rapid ignition. The maximum concentration of each of these substances should not exceed 0.1% of the total volume.
Striving for a better world
Of course, limiting the use of the above substances has certain goals. When using more gentle and pure substances, global manufacturers wish to the maximum:
- reduce pollution and the subsequent destruction of the biological shell of the Earth;
- to nullify possible poisoning by the above substances, and this also leads to the prevention of health problems of individuals who use or work with unsafe electronics or electrical devices.
For electronics manufacturers
Whose interests are affected by the adopted RoHS document ? That this decree found support outside Europe is not surprising. After all, many countries are exporters of goods to the Union. Therefore, in order to be allowed to work on the European market, electronic or electrical products must meet the advanced environmental requirements. If the product is completely safe, it is labeled RoHS compliant, which means "complies with the requirements of the RoHS directive."
All that surrounds us
Thus, in accordance with the described document, the electrical or electronic equipment that we use in everyday life must comply with environmental safety rules. So, the RoHS tablet should not contain lead adhesions and other harmful elements. This applies to various household appliances and equipment, lighting systems, toys, automatic devices, electrical and electronic tools, and so on. Manufacturers of cigarette and tobacco substitutes are also paying attention to this document. Often in stores you can find the inscription "electronic cigarette RoHS." This category of goods, although it is not completely harmless (due to the presence of nicotine), but claims that there are no hazardous and toxic substances in the materials used to create the product.