The European Union has taken major steps ahead of the US towards the reduction of use of hazardous substances in electrical equipment and appliances. The EU took launched a major effort in 2003, and in 2006 adopted the resulting Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS). RoHS compliance includes many directives and regulations; most of them are centered on restricting the use of a few chemical elements and substances classified as hazardous to health and the environment. Detected most conveniently with handheld XRF, these are six:

• Polybrominated biphenyl
• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
• Cadmium
• Mercury
• Lead
• Hexavalent Chromium compounds

This helps to reduce the presence and ill effects of poisonous substances in electrical appliances.

In spite of this, there are social criticisms of the impact of the RoHS on the economy. But not everyone come’s out the winner.  Small businesses that used electrical appliances containing these substances had to give up their use and dispose them. The actual intention of the RoHS was to reduce the amount of toxic waste released into the environment. Many organic products such as plastic can also lose their decaying ability because of the use of these substances, which again contributes to pollution. Though the need for environmental restrictions is easy to grasp, some businesses had to face a nightmare come true in complying with the RoHS.

The most affected types of businesses include the computer manufacturers. Computer manufacturers used lead in the CRT display monitors, the use of which is slowly declining as time passes. Users of CRT monitors also had to them give up under the RoHS, which triggered large scale disposal of them.

The LCD display has backlights that contain mercury. The mercury in the backlights had to comply with the RoHS before becoming legal in the European market.

Many casualties occurred around the time when the implementation of RoHS first occurred. However, some businesses have recovered and many even outside the EU are trying to maintain the RoHS.