The EU directive RoHS ['Restriction of use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment'], due to come into effect on 1 July 2006, has significant consequences for South African suppliers of electronic and electrical equipment or components to the EU as well as certain world markets.
RoHS restricts the maximum concentrations of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment. These concentrations are typically 0,1% by weight of the homogenous material with the exception of cadmium, where the limit is 0,01%. Large and small household appliances; IT and telecommunications equipment; consumer equipment; lighting equipment (including light bulbs and household luminaries); electronic and electrical tools; automatic dispensers; toys, leisure and sports equipment are examples of broad categories of finished products that contain traces of these substances in their composition via solder, termination coatings, paint, PVC, contacts, sensors, relays, anti corrosion coatings and the flame retardants used in plastics.
In Europe, Asia and the USA, the RoHS and WEEE Directives are resulting in the majority of the electronics production industry changing their processes to lead-free soldering. Within South Africa the effects of this legislation are both outbound and inbound as [1] electrical products are locally manufactured for export and [2] our ability to source non-compliant components from abroad will slowly decrease over time. With regards to the directive, issues that still require addressing by many companies include the availability of compliant components and the management of change within their existing business processes including stock management, bills of material, quality assurance, design and documentation.
Globally, RS Components has taken a proactive stance to stay abreast of this important industry development and is working closely with a number of leading industry experts to identify as well as interpret the implications of RoHS. As the leading high service level distributor of electronic, electrical and industrial products to the South African market, RS is actively helping its customers understand and comply to these directives. The RS website displays full compliance information on all affected products, thereby allowing customers to make the correct combination of an educated decision and product choice. In this regard RS has importantly identified all products that are affected by RoHS and has clearly indicated the level of compliance on its website.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
News
In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
Read more...A strategic milestone for Conical Technologies Conical Technologies
News
Conical Technologies has been appointed as the sole distributor in southern Africa for Mibbo, manufacturers of a vast array of products for the automation industry.
Read more...Robotics TechTalk at UKZN
News
The Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technology Lab at the University of KwaZulu-Natal recently held an exciting TechTalk. It was an opportunity to introduce students to the IEEE Robotics and Automation chapter, SAIMC, and the Robotics Association of South Africa.
Read more...Schneider Electric honoured with Gender Leader Award Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric has been awarded the Gender Leader Award at this year’s Africa CEO Forum. This award acknowledges those organisations operating in Africa that have shown a significant and continuous commitment to gender diversity and inclusion.
Read more...Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 closes on a high note
News
The Africa Automation Technology Fair 2025 officially wrapped up after three dynamic days at Gallagher Convention Centre, cementing its status as Africa’s leading platform for industrial automation, AI and IoT.
Read more...A new generation of solar professionals
News
A new generation of solar professionals is rising in Cape Town. The second cohort of the Solar Youth Project has just completed an intensive eight-week training course and is ready to take on the next stage, 10 months of work experience.
Read more...From the editor's desk: The age of superintelligence Technews Publishing (SA Instrumentation & Control)
News
In this issue of SA Instrumentation & Control we say farewell to our longstanding contributing editor, Michael Brown, who is retiring soon. His outstanding contribution over the years in the field of ...
Read more...Driving digital transformation in the new wave SAIMC Supplier Advisory Council
News
The latest presentation in the series ‘Knowledge Sharing 4 Industry’ will be held on Wednesday 25 June. It will be presented by Johan Potgieter, Cluster Industrial Software Leader for Schneider Electric, South Africa.
printer friendly version