The New Standards of Excellence

Over the past few years several new environmental directives have come out of Europe to protect the environment. Two of the new directives, End of Life Vehicle (ELV) and Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), have impacted several industries in the United States.

The goal of ELV and RoHS is to eliminate hazardous materials in certain products. All ELV and RoHS directives will be effective by July 1, 2006. Manufacturers, producers and resellers of electrical and electronic products who plan to export to Europe must comply with directive standards.

Other countries are also plan to implement similar directives. Taiwan, Korea, Canada, and Australia have begun work on versions of the RoHS directive. In the United States, California put into practice the Electronic Waste Recycling Act, in 2003. Twenty other states are also expected to pass similar legislation.

What are ELV and RoHS industry standards?

The RoHS directive serves to eliminate the following hazardous substances:

• Lead
• Cadmium
• Mercury
• Chromium
• Polybrominated Biphenyls
• Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers

The ELV directive states manufacturers and resellers of vehicles must:

• Restrict the use of certain metals in new vehicles.
• Produce a "certificate of destruction" for scrapped vehicles.
• Mark certain vehicle components to aid recycling.
• Produce dismantling information for new vehicles.
• Scrap end of life vehicles with authorized facilities, which must meet environmental standards.

When exporting products, producers must declare they are in compliance with industry standards. If they are resellers, they must obtain certificates of compliance from their suppliers. If authorities check the products, and find them not in compliance, authorities can prevent sale and impose a penalty.

AST Benefits

Conforming to ELV and RoHS standards isn't easy. Challenges include identifying alternative, effective new methods of production. AST offers ELV electroless nickel systems that are environmentally-compliant. The systems are formulated specifically for metal finishers and conform to the new standards.

AST also offers Zenith ELV systems to eliminate lead and cadmium from being used as stabilizers and brighteners in EN coatings. Zenith ELV also meets ELV and RoHS regulations. The systems work in existing standard equipment with no loss of performance.

If you are looking for experts to meet International surface compliance standards, contact AST at 303.432.8500 or visit www.astfinishing.com.

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