Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2005

This regime bans the placing on the EU market of new Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) containing more than the set levels of lead specified substances from 1 July 2006.A maximum concentration value of up to 0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE and of up to 0.01% by weight in homogenous materials for cadmium will be permitted in the manufacture of new equipment.

Manufacturers will need to ensure that their products and the components of such products comply with the requirements of the Regulations by the relevant date in order to be placed on the Single Market. The Regulations will also have an impact on those who import EEE into the European Union on a professional basis, those who export to other Member States and those who rebrand other manufacturers' EEE as their own.

Producers must be able to demonstrate compliance by submitting technical documentation or other information to the enforcement authority on request and retain such documentation for a period of four years after the EEE is placed on the market.