RoHS and WEEE Testing - Analysis of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment by LSM Analytical Services

Background

LSM Analytical Services offer a large and diverse range of modern analytical testing facilities that cater for a vast range of industry sectors. LSM’s success has been achieved by building on a strong reputation for low cost, fast accurate turnaround. The laboratory activities are backed up by accreditation to the ISO 17025 (UKAS) and 9001:2000 laboratory and quality management standards. LSM is able to offer complete analytical solutions from its internationally recognised team of technical experts, with in depth knowledge, allowing its customers to benefit from impartial guidance.

LSM’s range of analytical services includes:

• X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry (XRF)
• X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
• ICP Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES)
• Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
• Carbon, Sulphur, Nitrogen, Oxygen Analysers
• Boron analysis by the Neutron Transmission method
• Colorimetric and Volumetric Analysis
• Particle Size Analysis

What is RoHS Testing for Electrical and Electronic Equipment?

RoHS (Restrictions on the use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment EEE) is a European directive, which came into force in the UK in 2006.

Hazardous Chemicals in New Electrical and Electronic Equipment based on RoHS

The directive bans the placing on the European market of new EEE more than agreed levels of the following:

• lead
• cadmium
• mercury
• hexavalent chromium
• polybrominated biphenyl (PPB)
• polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)

Producers need to determine if the EEE they are placing in the European market falls within the RoHS regulations; the first decision being whether the goods fall into one of the 10 categories listed under WEEE.

Aim of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Testing

WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) is a European Community directive that aims to minimise the impact of waste electrical and electronic goods on the environment, by increasing re-use and recycling and reducing the amount of WEEE going to landfill. It seeks to achieve this by making producers responsible for financing the collection, treatment and recovery of waste electrical equipment, and by obliging distributors to allow consumers to return their waste equipment free of charge.

Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulated by WEEE Testing

The WEEE regulations are set out to apply to the following 10 categories:

• Large household appliances
• Small household appliances
• IT and telecommunications equipment
• Consumer equipment
• Lighting equipment
• Electrical and electronic tools
• Toys leisure and sports equipment
• Medical devices
• Monitoring and control instruments
• Automatic dispensers

Industries Regulated by WEEE Testing

The WEEE regulations apply to:

• Producers
• Retailers and distributors
• Local authorities
• Waste management industry
• Exporters and reprocessors
• Businesses and other non-household users of EEE

Analytical Equipment for Analysis of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

LSM Analytical services achieves fast accurate analysis of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium by ICP technology and polybrominated biphenlyl PPB and polybrominated diphenyl ether PBDE by ion chromatorgraphy

Source: LSM Analytical Services

For more information on this source please visit LSM Analytical Services