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The Nexergy Difference

Nexergy Statement on RoHS and WEEE

Nexergy recognizes the importance of preserving the environment as one of the most important challenges for the future. We are committed to solving environmental issues through innovation and environmentally sound business practices. We view the European Union (EU) directives as opportunities to reduce the environmental impact of our products.

The EU has adopted several environmental directives over the years. Labeling, collecting and recycling of certain batteries have been required under the EU Battery Directive and its amendments since 1991. In September 2006, the EU adopted an updated Battery Directive, providing additional guidance on the labeling, collecting and recycling of batteries.

In January 2003, the EU adopted the RoHS and WEEE directives, to contribute to the protection of human health and environmentally sound recovery and disposal of electrical and electronic equipment.

  • RoHS stands for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances and restricts the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in certain electronic equipment and products to a maximum concentration value of .1% by weight of homogeneous materials with the exception of cadmium whose maximum concentration value is 0.01%. This directive came into affect on July 1, 2006.
  • The WEEE directive, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, concentrates on the recyclability of electrical and electronic products, and states that, from 13 August 2005 onwards, manufacturers are required to finance the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of all WEEE sold under their brand.

There has been confusion in the marketplace regarding the applicability of RoHS and WEEE to batteries and battery packs. In December 2003, the RoHS and WEEE Technical Adaptation Committee concluded the RoHS and WEEE Directives did not apply to batteries. The WEEE Directive requires batteries be removed from WEEE before disposal and the batteries handled separately. Once removed from the WEEE, the Battery Directive addresses the requirements for collection and disposal of batteries. Among other provisions, the 2006 Battery Directive clearly defines battery packs as “any set of batteries or accumulators that are connected together and/or encapsulated within an outer casing so as to form a complete unit that the end user is not intended to split up or open”. It is Nexergy’s belief that batteries and battery packs are exempt from the requirements of RoHS and WEEE, and they should be labeled, collected and recycled under the provisions of the Battery Directive.

We also manufacture certain non-battery related items that are subject to the requirements of RoHS and WEEE. The RoHS and WEEE directives may significantly affect the design and manufacture of these electrical and electronic products. At Nexergy, we have manufactured RoHS compliant products and are committed to working with our customers to satisfy their requirements regarding the RoHS and WEEE Directives.

We are working diligently to fulfill our legal obligations and to support our customers in their desire to do the same. If your products require compliance with these directives, please contact Nexergy so that we can determine how we can help you in this endeavor.