ESE RoHS Statement

In February 2003, the European Union (EU) released a directive regarding the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) in Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The directive restricts the use of lead and other materials in electronic equipment sold in the EU beginning July 1, 2006.

ESE emphasizes the value of eliminating hazardous substances from our products and the environment, and our RoHS Compliance Team is currently working to ensure that all ESE products comply with the RoHS directive.

Currently many ESE products fall under Category 9 of the RoHS directive and are excluded from the directive. Most of ESE's non-compliant products will continue to be manufactured until they reach their expected end of life and selected products may be converted to RoHS compliant versions based on the availability of components for the particular design.

ESE customers should rest assured that our industry-leading quality, off-the-shelf availability and exceptional customer service will be extended to a considerable range of RoHS compliant products as new designs are released. For more information on ESE's RoHS program, contact us at ese@ese-web.com.

RoHS Frequently Asked Questions

• What is RoHS?

RoHS is an acronym (Restrictions on Hazardous Substances) which refers to the European Union (EU) Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.


• What are hazardous substances?

Hazardous substances are those chemicals and materials that are legislatively, market, or customer banned or restricted for use in products and/or manufacturing.


• Which substances are covered by RoHS?

There are six RoHS listed hazardous substances: Lead (Pb); Cadmium (Cd); Mercury (Hg); Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6); Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB); and Polybrominated Diphenylethers (PBDE).


• Which countries have adopted the RoHS Directive?

Currently only members of the EU. However other countries are drafting legislation similar to RoHS.


• Do ESE products contain RoHS listed substances?

Yes. Most electronic products designed and manufactured before the RoHS directive use tin/lead solder technology. Many ESE products continue to use lead-based solders under the exemption allowed under RoHS for network infrastructure equipment for switching, signaling, transmissions, as well as network management for telecommunications. Also, some ESE products are not yet designed to meet the RoHS directive and are not available to countries that have adopted the RoHS directive.


• Does ESE plan to have two versions of products, one for the EU and one for elsewhere?

Yes. As each product's end of life dictates, ESE plans to use existing inventory until exhausted. During this switchover period, only product sold as RoHS compliant shall meet the RoHS directive.


• How will the ESE RoHS compliant products be identified?

Compliant product will be traceable by that product's serial number.