Information on several EU RoHS non-conformity issues have come to light over the past couple months.

Slovenia identified two RoHS non-compliant products on the EU RAPEX rapid alert system. European countries use the RAPEX system to facilitate the rapid exchange of information between Member States and the Commission about product non-conformities.

1. Product: HAND BLENDER; Brand: SIMPEX; Name: Stabmixer; Risk: Certain solders on PCB and on motor contain lead (measured value up to 80.0%). The product does not comply with the Directive 2011/65/EC (RoHS 2) on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electric and electronic equipment.
2. Product: AVIA Clock radio with alarm; Risk: The black plastic of the antenna wire, the orange plastic of the capacitor and brass component contain lead (measured value up to 0.19%), while some solders on PCB and brass component contain cadmium (measured value up to 0.071%). The product does not comply with the Directive 2011/65/EC (RoHS 2) on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electric and electronic equipment.

The UK RoHS enforcement authority, the National Measurements Office (NMO), published the results of a RoHS and Battery Directive compliance study on EEE toys. The report, released on February 20, 2015, highlights that 40% of the 15 products assessed had failed compliance for substance content, marking or batteries. The study focused on higher priced toys that ranged from £30 to over £100. The toys included: Educational Toys (x3), Sports and Outdoor Toys (x3), Musical Toys (x3), 0-3 Years Toys (x3), and 3+ Years Toys (x3).

Prior to testing, the NMO assessed each of the products and companies in terms of risk (previous history of company, product risk, subjectivity, size of company and market reach). The NMO is trying to develop a comprehensive risk assessment model and will use the results to help refine the model.

The report states that 2 out of 3 of the educational toys and 2 out of 3 of the 0-3 years toys were non-compliant. Of particular concern were riding toys of which 3 out of a total of 6 were non-compliant across the product categories.

In usual NMO fashion, none of the brand names or retailers/importers were identified in the report. The report indicates that investigations were opened into the non-compliant products and have progressed to what the NMO refers to as “appropriate outcomes”.