China RoHS

On November 6, 2006, the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) of the Chinese government signed into law a set of new standards (Labeling Standard: SJ/T 11364-2006; Maximum Concentration Value Standard: S/T 11363-2006; and Testing Method Standard: 11365-2006) for all Electronic Information Products (EIP) sold in China. Symbol intends to comply fully with this Directive, but will need the assistance of its suppliers to do so. The purpose of this communication is to notify all of our suppliers of the requirements of this Directive so that you can begin your preparation
The China RoHS directive will be implemented in two phases. The first phase requires that by March 1, 2007 that all EIP producers label and declare whether or not a product, by its component level, meets the stated Maximum Concentration Value (MCV) of Lead, Cadmium, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) and Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE). These substances and their MCV’s are the same as those included in the European Union RoHS. However, there are two major distinctions between China RoHS and the EU RoHS Directive. First, China RoHS also encompasses batteries, which were not subject to the EU RohS Directive. Additionally, unlike EU RoHS, China RoHS does not allow exemptions. Another difference is that, during Phase One of China RoHS’s implementation, non-compliant product can continue to be sold as long as labeling requirements are met (see below). Prior to the commencement of the second phase, the Chinese agency will publish a “Catalog” which will outline products that define which products are restricted. The second phase requires those EIP published in the Catalog to be tested and certified by an approved Chinese laboratory. .