RoHS / WEEE Compliance
See examples below:
| Examples | Conditions |
| Metals and other raw materials | may contain lead (depending on type) may be coated with rust inhibitors that contain hexavalent chromium |
| Powder coat paint | may contain PBB/PBDE |
| Hardware | may contain lead, may be plated with a hexavalent chromium type coating |
| Plating | may contain hexavalent chromium such as zinc with clear/yellow chromate |
| Electrical Assemblies | may contain lead in solder |
| Plastic components | may contain PBB/PBDE |
Avoid using materials that contain lead. Often, leaded materials are used in applications for easy of machinablility. Steel mills manufacture other types of steel alloys that may not be as easily machinable as lead-based ones, but are complaint.
Some materials; such as electro-galvanized steel, are complaint but in some cases the rust inhibiting clear chem-film that is applied on top is NOT compliant. Most steel service centers can not guarantee that the chem-films applied are free of hexavalent chromium because they receive this material from different steel mills consolidated into one location at their facilities.
Only a few steel service centers to date are helping its customers meet RoHS compliance by offering alternatives.
Some plastics contain PBB / PBDE as an additive that lowers the flammability of the plastic. In many cases, simply removing this additive can affect the performance and quality of the plastic. Thus, the supplier can not offer a compliant alternative.
There are many plastic manufactures that have already found alternatives to using PBB’s / PBDE’s in some plastics, but it been found that PBB’s / PBDE’s are the most reliable flame retardant additives.
Powder coat paint manufactures do not state on the MSDS that the contents may contain a non-RoHS compliant element.
During some powder-coat vendor investigations, we have found that even though two different powder coat manufactures can produce identical colors and types of powder, one will be RoHS compliant and the other will not. This being true, if there is only one approved supplier for your powder coat; it may not be compliant, while others can provide alternatives.
Only upon our request, does Nu-Way receive RoHS compliant certifications from the powder coat manufactures because they do not publish this information.
Coating
Some hardware may contain a non compliant coating. (see above Finishing > Plating for more info)
Zinc with clear/yellow chromate commonly contains hexavalent chromium. Some platers already have found compliant alternatives to using a hexavalent chromium based coating. These alternatives do not always meet the performance standard of hexavalent based plating.
Passivating commonly done on stainless-steel is compliant.
Anodizing commonly done with aluminum components is compliant.
Irritditing (chem-film) commonly contains hexavalent chromium. Some platers already have found compliant alternatives to using a hexavalent chromium based coating. These alternatives do not always meet the performance standard of hexavalent based plating.
Avoid using hardware that contains lead
Plastic hardware may contain PBB / PBDE. (see above Raw Materials > Plastic for more info)
Lead is commonly found in solder which is used to make most electrical connections to circuit boards and terminals. Lead-free solder is available, but requires a higher melting point which could damage the components being soldered.
Wire/Cable jacketing can contain may contain PBB / PBDE.
