With increasing international emphasis on environmental issues, the EU's RoHS (Restricted Use of Hazardous Substances) directive has incorporated environmental requirements into trade conditions, restricting the levels of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in electrical and electronic products exported to the EU. As a major exporter of electrical, electronic, and information and communication products, Taiwan has developed the national standard CNS 15663, "Guidelines for Reducing the Content of Restricted Chemical Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment," to assist domestic industries in adapting to international environmental trends and to ensure that products sold domestically meet international environmental standards.
For the testing of six chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment, namely lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection has formulated two national standards: CNS 15050 "Determination of Six Controlled Substances (Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls, Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers) in Electrical and Electronic Products" (published on June 7, 2000) and CNS 15479 "Determination of Mercury Content in Fluorescent Tubes" (published on May 26, 2011). These standards are available for reference by all sectors.
The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection stated that since most countries that manage the restriction of six chemical substances in electrical and electronic equipment do so through regulations, and there are currently no regulations in Taiwan to serve as a basis for this, CNS 15663 covers applicable product categories, types of restricted substances (lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers), content standards, and labeling methods. It can serve as a guiding standard for the industry, effectively managing restricted substances at any stage of the production supply chain and product life cycle, and can be used as a reference for relevant competent authorities in regulatory reference or in implementation and promotion.
The relevant standards information has been posted on the Bureau's "National Standards (CNS) Online Service System" at http://www.cnsonline.com.tw. All are welcome to visit and view it online.
Sources: Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, Ministry of Economic Affairs (2013-08-15)
