The EU RoHS Directive (Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electronic products) is under review and ChemSec brings NGOs together for a stronger RoHS Directive. ChemSec has, together with Environmental Bureau and Clean Production Action, developed a proposal for the review of the RoHS Directive.

In order to protect the environment and health of consumers, the NGO coalition advocate for the introduction of a systematic approach for restriction of harmful brominated and chlorinated organic substances in RoHS. This approach should take into account the direct impact of substances as well as the impact of transformation products at end of life. This approach is necessary in order to address the impacts of the most hazardous substances used in electrical and electronic equipment today. It will also enable industry to predict and assess potential new materials and substances and avoid investing in materials that are later identified as hazardous and then banned.
 
The NGO coalition ask EU regulators to leverage this unique opportunity to strengthen RoHS, and thereby drive innovation and reward those companies who have made early investments in safer materials —many of which are based in Europe, but all of which have a large market presence in Europe.

Proposal to the Council and the European Parliament: Amend the European Commission proposal for a revised RoHS Directive to:

• Consider both the direct impact of substances and the impacts of transformation products at end of life.
• Thereby supporting a general phase-out of brominated and chlorinated organic substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE)

The NGO coalition will write amendments to the European Commission proposal and spread these amendments to key persons, organisations and business. Leading manufacturers of electronic products will be invited to support the up-coming position to encourage EU-regulators to strengthen the RoHS proposal. 
 

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NGO Draft Position Paper