The U.S. Federal RoHS Act (EDEE) proposal has been released
On May 14, 2009, U.S. Representative Michael Burgess of Texas introduced H.R. 2420: The Environmentally Friendly Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (EDEE Act), which aims to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) of 1976. Its purpose is to ensure that federally uniform regulations govern the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical equipment across all states and in foreign trade. The EDEE Act would provide a unified federal framework for regulating electrical and electronic equipment restrictions across all states.
H.R. 2420 requires that for electrical and electronic products manufactured after July 1, 2010, the content of lead (Pb), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), mercury (Hg), polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in their homogeneous materials must not exceed 0.1% by weight, and the content of cadmium (Cd) must not exceed 0.01% by weight. Of course, the act also exempts certain electrical and electronic products and lists the relevant product categories.
For example, products falling into the following categories will not be subject to the above restrictions:
Products or equipment with a rated voltage greater than 300 volts, products used on fixed equipment (excluding lighting equipment), medical communication and emergency call systems, medical diagnostic imaging and treatment equipment and instruments, water and land transportation information management and control systems, etc.
The bill has been submitted to the House Energy and Commerce Committee and is awaiting review and hearings.
The attached document contains the original text of the regulations; please download it yourself.
– Reference source: Hong Kong Trade Development Council website, June 2, 2009, Attachment file:HR 2420.pdf
