Comprehensive inspection methods for complying with RoHS, WEEE and ELV Directives
Since its founding in 1875, Shimadzu has promoted and maintained a balance between providing technological solutions and promoting activities to conserve the environment. This concern for the environment has led to the development of such items as environmental monitoring systems and biodegradable plastics. Since establishing the "Global Environmental Code of Conduct" in 1994, Shimadzu has been striving to maintain an environmental management system, placing greater importance on recycling while introducing an LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) Method to aim for the development and manufacture of "Environmentally Friendly Products."
This environmental concern makes Shimadzu your ideal partner for complying with the following European directives:
RoHS - Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment
After July 1, 2006, member states must guarantee that new electrical and electronic equipment being marketed contain no lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB or PBDE. Applicable product categories include the following categories:
- Large Household Appliances
- Small Household Appliances
- IT and Telecommunications Equipment
- Consumer Equipment
- Lighting Equipment
- Electrical and Electronic Tools
- Toys, Leisure and Sports Equipment
- Automatic Dispensers
In addition, the RoHS directive also regulates light bulbs and other household luminaries.
WEEE - Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment
In order to prevent electrical and electronic equipment waste and promote the reuse, recycling and recovery of such wastes to reduce waste disposal, this directive requires that manufacturers affix specified markings on applicable products from August 13, 2005 and makes them responsible for recovering and recycling their products. The following categories are subject to the directive:
- 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
ELV - End-of-Life Vehicle
In order to prevent the generation of waste from automobiles and to promote the reduction of waste through the reuse or recycling of end-of-life vehicles or their parts, this directive ensures that automobile materials or parts marketed in member states after July 1, 2003 do not contain lead, mercury, cadmium or hexavalent chromium.
In order to support compliance with these regulations, Shimadzu is now establishing a worldwide analytical consulting and maintenance capability. From application development to inspection methods, Shimadzu offers a variety of instruments to help customers prepare systems for complying with RoHS, WEEE, and ELV requirements.
Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometers (EDX Series)
- EDX-700HS - The standard model, equipped with more than enough performance to measure the four elements of Cd, Pb, Hg and Cr
- EDX-800HS - A light-element high-sensitivity model, capable of analyzing regular materials and defects
- EDX-900HS - A high-counting rate, high-throughput top-of-the-line model that does not require liquid nitrogen
- µEDX-1200 - Using Shimadzu's unique polycapillary (patent approved), the µEDX-1200 is capable of measuring diameters as small as 50 um
Shimadzu EDX Series systems enable the simple, rapid screening of the various substances environmentally regulated under the WEEE, RoHS, and ELV directives at ppm levels without pretreatment. With an established track record and an excellent reputation, the EDX Series has become a world leader in the electrical and electronic equipment industry.
Precise Analysis of Metals
- AA-6300 - Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer
- ICPE-9000 - Inductively Coupled Plasma Emission Spectrometer
The AA-6300 and ICPE-9000 are ideal for the analysis of numerous materials. These include chemicals, biological samples, polymers, and both ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Simply dissolving the sample is all that’s required to perform high-sensitivity measurements of toxic metals, regardless of the sample's type or history. Measurement is possible not only of toxic metals that were added intentionally, but also of toxic metals contained within substances as impurities.
Selective Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium
Shimadzu’s UVmini-1240 spectrophotometer allows easy quantitation of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+). After Cr6+ is extracted from the sample at the pretreatment stage using, for example, boiling water, the extract is measured with the UVmini-1240 and a Water Quality Measurement Program Pack (optional software) using diphenylcarbazide absorption photometry, and the amount of hexavalent chromium is obtained.
Precise Screening/Analysis of Brominated Flame Retardants
The IRPrestige-21 is ideal for the screening analysis of brominated flame retardants. By installing a single-reflection type ATR attachment to an FTIR system and using a brominated flame retardant determination macro program, a determination of plastics and brominated flame retardants can be performed in seconds. For precise quantitative analysis of brominated flame retardants, a GCMS Thermal Decomposition Analysis System can be used. This system allows the determination of brominated flame retardants in plastics within a few minutes of inspecting products and raw materials.
White Paper - Understanding RoHS: What it means to U.S. Manufacturers (pdf - 56kb)
To support customers engaged in analyses of hazardous substances controlled by WEEE/RoHS and ELV directives, Shimadzu has established a global service network incorporating customer support, training and service centers in the USA, Germany, China and Singapore, as well as in Japan. Shimadzu provides comprehensive support services including instrument maintenance, training workshops and the provision of relevant information to meet customer needs regarding both software and hardware.
Request a free brochure on Shimadzu’s solutions to the RoHS, WEEE and ELV Directives here.
