The Directive on the restriction of hazardous substances in electronic goods

We are living in an electronic age. We have e-mail, e-banking, e-business, e-books, e-medicine (telemedicine) and so on. The e-products like laptops and cellular phones have penetrated the society in a big way.  However majority of users of these products are unaware of presence of hazardous chemicals in electronic goods. The Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment was adopted in 2003 by the European Union.  The RoHS-directive, restricts the use of six hazardous materials (viz., lead, mercury, cadmium, chromium, PBB and PDBE) in the manufacture of various types of electronic and electrical equipment.

PBB and PBDE are brominated flame retardants used in several plastics.  BFR release dioxins and furans which are neurotoxins. A long term exposure of these substances may lead to damage of Nervous system, Kidney, Bones, Reproductive System and Endocrine system.

Instead of indulging in innovation and R&D to design out toxic chemicals the electronics companies are busy in selling their hazardous products through aggressive marketing.  Consumers and Ministry of consumer’s affairs seem woefully ignorant of these issues. There is no ‘Jago grahak Jago’ campaign on RoHS directive or its exemption.

However the trend of going green and manufacturing clean products free from hazardous chemicals is slowly picking up. Consumers are becoming more informed and aware. They prefer green and clean products. Green labeling of e-products should be initiated for helping consumer in selection.

Hazardous chemicals should be substituted with safer alternatives. Several companies are launching safer products. Motorola launched BFR free cell phones. In India HCL and Wipro are complying with RoHS directive which promotes phasing out of six deadly substances viz., Pb, Hg, Cr, Cadmium, and two BFRs in e-products.