RoHS and WEEE – the new European Directives: do they work and why (or why not)? Current application and development in the EU and USA

Abstract:

This article examines the application and development of regimes covering both the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment and also the waste from electrical and electronic equipment in the European Union and its Member States and in the USA. The first instalment of the two parts covered compliance with and exceptions from compliance. This second instalment covers application and development in the EU with a comprehensive review of most Member States; application and development in the USA; the author's conclusions and recommendations; and annexes listing categories of electrical and electronic equipment covered by the RoHS and WEEE Directives.