ROHS POLICY STATEMENT

Hinds Instruments has maintained an active RoHS management program since the introduction of the European Union RoHS (restriction of hazardous substances) Directive 2002/95/EC in July, 2006. This directive set maximum acceptable levels for six substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) supplied to the EU:  lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated biphenyl ethers (PBDE).  Throughout the duration of that directive, Hinds Instruments EEE was exempt from the restrictions as our devices were classified under Category 9 of the directive.  Notwithstanding this exemption, Hinds Instruments’ commitment to protecting human health and the environment was reinforced through the following internal standard operating procedures:

1) Since 2006 new standard Hinds Instruments products destined for the EU have been designed and produced using only RoHS compliant materials. We require all suppliers to provide documentation in support of this goal, and we will supply a Declaration of Conformity when requested.

2) Likewise, an internal program was put in place to assure that legacy standard products are methodically converted into upgraded designs that are RoHS compliant. A dedicated RoHS team has developed the conversion process and is continuously working on this effort from the electronic component level to the completed instrument.

As of January 3, 2013, the European Union enacted revised RoHS legislation (“RoHS Recast” or “RoHS 2”) under Directive 2011/65/EU.  Hinds Instruments products are still classified within Category 9 of the directive (including both monitoring and control instruments, and industrial monitoring and control instruments) but are now required to comply with the restrictions.  The date mandated for compliance of monitoring and control instruments is July 22, 2014. The date mandated for compliance of industrial monitoring and control instruments is July 22, 2017.

On April 30, 2015, the EU enacted an amendment, Directive 2015/863/EU.  This amendment (commonly known as “RoHS 3”) expanded the list of restricted substances to 10 items.  The added substances are: bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (BBP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), and diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).  The date mandated for compliance of standard and industrial monitoring and control instruments is 22 July 2021.

Hinds Instruments continues working toward converting all of its products so they are RoHS compliant within the timeframes mandated for Category 9 EEE covered by this revised directive.  For a current list of Hinds Instrument products that are RoHS compliant, please contact us.