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What
is California 'RoHS'?
SB 20: Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003
SB 50: Emergency Amendment to SB 20
SB 20 & 50: DTSC guidance
California
SB 20 and SB 50 contain both RoHS and
WEEE-like
provisions (since
these directives were adopted by the EU, RoHS has become shorthand
for regulating the hazardous substances used in electrical and
electronic equipment, while WEEE refers to regulating the disposal of
this equipment).
California RoHS provisions took effect on
January
1, 2007. They are summarized below:
SB 20 applies only to
CRT, LCD and plasma screens
larger
than four inches measured diagonally. SB 50 extended
coverage to products refurbished by the manufacturer for
retail sale (to
date, repeated efforts to
expand its scope
to mirror European RoHS have failed).
Video displays in electronic medical devices, specialty
equipment such as thermostats and heating regulators, motor vehicles,
and large commercial or industrial equipment
were
specifically excluded by SB 20.
Video displays in washers,
dryers, refrigerators, freezers, ovens, air conditioners,
dehumidifiers, and air purifiers were excluded by SB 50.
The only substances
restricted are "certain
heavy metals," specifically
lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium.
In contrast to the EU, California does not restrict PBB and
PBDE.
Regulations adopted by
the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) follow the
maximum concentration values adopted by the EU. The presence of
restricted substances is measured for each homogeneous material
contained within the device, not for the device as a whole.
Exemptions
are allowed when use of the substance is necessary to comply with health or
safety requirements by Underwriters Laboratories or governmental
entities. The RoHS application-based exemptions granted by the EU are
also recognized.
Manufacturers
of covered electronic products
must
file annual reports with the
California Integrated Waste Management Board
(CIWMB) specifying the number of covered
devices sold in California, the total amount of hazardous substances
contained in the devices, the company's reduction
in use of hazardous materials from year before, their increase in use of
recyclable materials from year before, and their efforts to design more
environmentally friendly products.
This summary is
intended to give you an easy-to-understand overview and does not
constitute legal advice. The actual standard in the original language
should be reviewed and used for all business, legal, and product
compliance purposes.
Should you need
assistance in assessing how California's environmental legislation will affect your
manufacturing company, we stand ready
to help you. Just
email
us or give us a call at 972-679-8996 for a timely and personalized response.
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Technical Consulting
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