1.  RoHS 2002/95/EC

The title of EU Directive 2002/95/EG is "Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electronic equipment". With effect from July 1, 2006 this prohibits the sale throughout EU territory of electrical appliances that contain more than mere traces of lead, cadmium, chromium VI, mercury or PBB/PBDE polybrominated flame inhibitors. In future, electronics manufacturers will have to be able to produce evidence that their appliances are RoHS-compliant. For details see EU Directive 2002/95/EC

"Lead-free" does not mean "free of lead"! So far, the authorities of the European Union have not stipulated any limit values for the permissible content of materials. For instance, no decision has yet been made about the definition of "lead-free" or "cadmium-free". It is nonetheless already clear that the definition of "lead-free" will not mean a total absence of lead.

Orgalime, the European umbrella federation that represents 34 national trade federations, i.e. representatives of 130,000 companies in the metal and electronics industries, is assuming that the following limit values will be adopted:

These limit values will probably apply to every material, including the raw material, specified in a piece of equipment, e.g. each solder and each tiniest component. It remains unclear how negotiations between the EU authorities and industry will turn out.

2.  Unibrain's Strategy

Unibrain is demonstrating a continuing commitment to safe working and environmental responsibility. We ensure that energy sources and materials are handled both economically and sensibly.

When developing new products it is important to lessen the environmental impact of potential pollutants and at the same time meet customers' increasing demands for environmentally compatible products.

Unibrain established a project team as early as 2003 in order to be able to make lead-free and RoHS-compliant products at the earliest possible opportunity.

3.  Unibrain's solutions

We have already successfully introduced the first lead-free products into the market and are planning to replace products containing lead in all of our product lines.

Thanks to our many years of development experience and international partnerships, we are able to ensure the reliability of our products in accordance with the required standards.

Please refer to our product list for RoHS / WEE compliance.

1.  WEEE 2002/96/EC

WEEE is the acronym for Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment. WEEE, also known as Directive 2002/96/EC, mandates the treatment, recovery and recycling of electric and electronic equipment (over 90% ends up in landfills), and also originated in the EU. All applicable products in the EU market after August 13, 2005 must pass WEEE compliance and carry the "Wheelie Bin" sticker.

For details see EU Directive 2002/96/EC

2.  Unibrain's strategy and solutions

Unibrain is demonstrating a continuing commitment to safe working and environmental responsibility. We ensure that energy sources and materials are handled both economically and sensibly.

We already have complied with WEEE regulations and all of our products are WEEE compliant.

Please refer to our product list for RoHS / WEE compliance