Producers may not (with a few exceptions) put EEE onto the EU market containing any of six restricted substances in amounts exceeding set maximum concentration levels.

The six restricted substances are:

Lead;
Mercury;
Cadmium;
Hexavalent Chromium;
Polybrominated Biphenyl; and
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether.

The RoHS Directive refers to the 'Producer' as any person who, irrespective of the selling technique used, manufactures and sells EEE under his own brand, resells under his own brand EEE produced by other suppliers, or imports or exports EEE into the EC.

However, in reality the RoHS Directive will affect everyone due to the fact that the end producer's ability to comply with the RoHS Directive is dependent upon the entire supply chain of all parts, materials, sub-assemblies and components used to make the EEE.

Penalties & Implications of non-compliance:

The National Measurement Office is responsible for enforcement.

Further Information:

RoHS: http://www.rohs.gov.uk/
NetRegs: http://www.netregs.gov.uk