1. General Information

As of July 2006 the EU Directive 2002/95/EC Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), dated January 27, 2003, came into force. It bans the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and both polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)
and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants in electrical
and electronic equipment. Although most Schaltbau products are used as components of electrical equipment that is exempt such as equipment for railway applications, we strive to have almost the whole of our product line RoHS compliant as soon as possible. We are working on it.
Our products are already free from mercury and the polybrominated flame retardants PBB and PBDE.

2. Roadmap of RoHS-conversion

The changeover to RoHS compliant materials was started in spring 2006. Replacement for cadmium has been completed and also for tin/lead solders and chromated finishes. However, there is still inventory that has to be sold off before it can be replaced. We will keep you informed of the progress on these webpages.

3. Exemptions

For mercury, lead, cadmium and hexavalent chromium there is a number of exempted applications such as lead as an alloying element in steel containing up to 0.35% lead by weight. Those substances will not be replaced by Schaltbau for the time being. In accordance with the decision of the EU commission dated October 21, 2005 (2005/747/EG) cadmium in electrical contacts has been exempted from the ban for an indefinite time.