The United States has submitted the Environmental Design of Electrical Equipment Act (H.R. 2420) No. 19/2009. To ensure the regulation of hazardous substances in electrical equipment, U.S. Representative Michael Burgess submitted the bill, H.R. 2420: Environmental Design of Electrical Equipment Act (EDEE), to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on May 14, 2009, to amend the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA). The bill is currently awaiting review. The prohibited substances requirements in H.R. 2420 are the same as those in the EU RoHS. Effective July 1, 2010, the content of lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in homogeneous materials used in electrical products sold in the U.S. market must not exceed 0.1% by weight, and the cadmium content must not exceed 0.01%; exceptions apply to exempted products. The H.R. 2420 Act lists numerous exclusionary items, including: products and equipment with voltages greater than 300 volts; products used on stationary equipment (excluding lighting equipment); communication systems, including medical communication and emergency call systems; transportation management and control systems; parallel and series capacitors; and medical...

EU REACH: The EU Announces New Toy Safety Directive NO.24/2009. The EU announced a new Toy Safety Directive (2009/48/EC) on June 30, 2009. The Council of the European Union adopted the new Toy Safety Directive on May 11, 2009, replacing the 20-year-old directive (88/378/EEC). Member states were required to amend their national laws in accordance with the directive by January 20, 2011, and implement it from July 20, 2011. The toy industry was required to significantly change its practices to comply with the new directive. Following a large-scale recall of dangerous toys in 2007, the EU authorities expedited the legislative process to address toy risks, increase the responsibility of manufacturers and importers in selling toys, and enhance market surveillance mechanisms by member state enforcement authorities. The new directive significantly modifies the original directive, including introducing entirely new provisions and clarifying the text of Directive 88/378/EEC. The most significant revisions are as follows: Definition: The new directive provides a clearer definition of "toy," explicitly stating that it refers to products intended (whether or not solely for) the play of children under the age of 14. Article 2 and Annex 1 of the directive expand and clarify the lists of products not listed as toys. The product lists further detail existing product categories not included in the directive, including certain collectibles, but whose packaging must display identifiable and clear markings indicating that the collectibles are only suitable for persons aged 14 or older. The new directive also stipulates that festive decorations are not considered toys. (Old)

The new version of the Joint Industry Guide (JIG-101 Ed. 2.0) has been released. NO.25/2009 The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), Digital Europe, and the Japan Green Sourcing Survey Standardization Association (JGPSSI) jointly announced the new version of the "Joint Industry Guide (JIG-101 Ed. 2.0)". This industry guide provides material declaration information on prohibited substances in relevant electronic products/components and applies to all manufacturers within the supply chain. In the international market, many companies have developed their own prohibited substance programs and standards. This has resulted in numerous documents used to investigate such prohibited substance information. However, companies, through their own supply chain systems, require suppliers to provide relevant information, leading to suppliers repeatedly performing similar procedures to provide information to their customers. JIG aims to rationalize this process by setting new standards for the presence and content of regulated substances/materials. JIG-101 was published in April 2005. Key revisions include: the inclusion of battery regulations and specific usage limits. Reporting is only required when regulations explicitly mandate a specific use for a restricted substance. JIG must declare that the list of restricted substances will be continuously updated in accordance with regulations, such as adding substances like fluorinated greenhouse gases, formaldehyde, perchlorates, and perfluorooctane sulfonate. Restricted substances are declared based on three criteria; this revised classification replaces the previous Level A and Level I.

Greenpeace released the 12th edition of its "Guide to Greener Electronics" (NO. 22/2009). Since the first edition of the Guide to Greener Electronics in August 2006, Greenpeace has updated its assessment every three months. The 12th edition, released on July 1, 2009, assessed 18 world-renowned manufacturers, covering products such as computers, mobile phones, televisions, and game consoles. The assessment focuses on 15 criteria, continuing the key points of the eighth edition. These criteria include: whether specific hazardous substances are used in products; whether companies fulfill their responsibility to recycle waste products; and improvements in their climate and energy-related policies and practices. The top three rankings remain the same as in the 11th edition: Nokia retains its first place with a score of 7.45, Samsung remains in second, and Sony Ericsson ranks third. Nokia received a high score due to its comprehensive product recycling program; Nokia provides 5,000 collection points for discarded mobile phones in 84 countries and offers consumers the most comprehensive information on the recycling and disposal of its products. Nokia has been offering PVC-free mobile phones since the end of 2005 and expects to offer phones free of bromine and chlorine compounds starting in 2010. The company's target for renewable energy usage in 2010 was 50%.

The UK issued a guide to the Waste Batteries and Storage Battery Act, No. 16/2009, in May 2009, issued by the UK's BERR (Battery and Storage Battery Authority) in conjunction with relevant agencies. The aim was to help businesses selling batteries and storage batteries, or products containing batteries and storage batteries, in the UK market better understand the application of the Waste Batteries and Storage Battery Act 2009. The Act came into effect on May 5, 2009. This guide outlines the responsibilities of businesses under the Act and applies to businesses selling portable batteries to consumers, as well as those involved in the collection, processing, recycling, or export of waste batteries. Battery manufacturers wishing to market more than one tonne of portable batteries in the UK by 2010 must join the Battery Compliance Scheme (BCS) by October 15, 2009. Small producers are defined as those marketing less than one tonne of portable batteries in the UK market within a year. Effective October 15, 2009, small-scale producers were required to register with the relevant Environmental Agency (EA) and record sales volumes within 28 days of launching a portable battery. Key dates for applying for BCS (Band of Conduct) approval for Portable Battery Compliance Schemes are listed in the table below: Measure | First Compliance Year (i.e., 2010) | Subsequent Compliance Years | Application Deadline for BCS Approval | May 31, 2009

The Stockholm Convention (No. 18/2009), led by the United Nations, entered into force on May 17, 2004. It primarily regulates persistent organic pollutants (POPs) due to their chronic toxicity and bioaccumulation, making them difficult to decompose in the environment. At the Conference of the Parties, which concluded in May 2009, nine new POPs used in pesticides and flame retardants were added to the treaty's annex. The main objectives of this meeting are fourfold: 1. To eliminate the production and use of POPs and instead use safer alternatives to achieve the goal of eliminating POPs; 2. To assess new POPs that are harmful to human health and the environment; 3. To ensure that all countries have the technical and financial resources to comply with and implement the Convention's regulations; 4. To continuously ensure that the Convention meets its objectives of protecting human health and the environment from pollution caused by POPs; 5. To add nine new persistent organic pollutants to the control list: α-hexachlorocyclohexane, β-hexachlorocyclohexane, hexabromodiphenyl ether, and heptabromodiphenyl ether.

On March 2, 2009, Sony released the eighth version of SS-00259, which took effect on April 1, 2009. The eighth version of SS-00259 lists 15 categories of controlled substances, including cobalt dichloride and ozone depleting substances (ODS), which are new additions. Heavy metals: Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr6+; Organochlorine compounds: PCB, PCN, PCT, SCCP, Others; Organobromine compounds: PBB, PBDE, Others; Organotin compounds: TBT, TPT; Asbestos; Specific azo compounds; Formaldehyde; Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and mixtures thereof; Beryllium oxide, beryllium bronze; Specific phthalates (7 types); Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC), perfluorocarbons (PFC); Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid and its salts (PFOS); Specific benzotriazoles; Cobalt dichloride; Ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Among them, up to 20 substances are defined as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-13 Halon-1211, Halon-1301, Halon-2402 CFC-111, CFC-112, CFC-113, CFC-114, CFC-115 CFC-211, CFC-212, CFC

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF, also known as dimethyl fumarate) is a chemical antifungal and antibacterial additive, primarily used to prevent leather products from molding in humid climates. It also functions as a desiccant to prevent moisture damage during transport. When used as a desiccant in small packets, DMF is crystalline and transforms into a gas upon heating, penetrating the product to prevent mold growth. However, it can also seep through clothing and onto the consumer's skin, causing contact dermatitis, itching, irritation, redness, and burns. In some cases, it can even lead to breathing difficulties. 1. From May 1, 2009, Member States should take the following actions: Ensure that products containing DMF are not allowed to circulate or be sold in the market. Conduct a complete recall of DMF-containing products already in circulation or sold, and ensure that consumers are fully aware of the potential risks of contact with DMF-containing products. 2. Scope of Regulation: All consumer products, and products that, even if not intended for consumer use, may still be used by consumers. 3. Regulatory Limits: The concentration of DMF must not exceed 0.1 mg/kg. What is dimethyl fumarate (DMF)? Why did the EU impose an emergency ban? 1. Applications of DMF: It is a chemical antifungal and antibacterial additive, primarily used to prevent leather products from developing mold in humid climates. Another function is as a desiccant to prevent moisture damage to products during transportation. 2.

Analysis of the Eco-Design of the EuP Directive: The European Union has always attached great importance to environmental protection. As a pioneer in international environmental legislation, its policies on controlling the entire life cycle of products, from raw materials to final disposal, are increasingly evident in the electronics and electrical appliance sector. Following the WEEE and RoHS directives, the EU officially published the framework directive 2005/32/EC (EuP Directive) on July 6, 2005, concerning the eco-design of energy-consuming products. As part of the integrated product strategy framework, it considers the consumption of resources and energy and the environmental impact of products throughout their entire life cycle. Since 2008, implementation measures for various energy-consuming products under the EuP Directive have been successively promulgated, and this year, implementation measures for several more products will enter the legislative process. The impact of the EuP Directive on China's product exports will become tangible. On October 28, 2008, the Shenzhen Institute of Standards and Technology hosted the TBT notification review meeting for the draft implementation measures of "Standby and Shutdown Power Consumption of Household and Office Electronic and Electrical Equipment," forming final review opinions representing the views of Chinese enterprises, and submitting them to the EU. The draft has now been formally adopted as law and is in effect. In China, the standby power consumption of products subject to this implementation measure is generally between 1 and 5 W, while the EU requires a first-phase requirement of 1 to 2 W and a second-phase requirement of 0.5 to 1 W. Based on China's annual exports of 500 million such products to the EU, this alone would increase costs by 2.5 to 5 billion yuan, a truly staggering figure.

Australian Energy Efficiency Standards (MEPS) Testing – External Power Supply Regulations implemented on December 1, 2008 (Australia) and April 1, 2009 (New Zealand). All AC-AC and AC-DC external power supplies imported into or manufactured in these regions must meet the minimum energy efficiency standards (MEPS) required in Tables 1 and 2 under both loaded and unloaded conditions. Note: Power supplies manufactured before the above implementation dates are still permitted to be sold. Applicable Products: External Power Supply (EPS) AC-AC or AC-DC, input voltage including 230 VAC, single output and within the extra low voltage range (ELV: 50 VAC or 60 VDC), output not exceeding 250 W or 250 VA.