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ROHS and WEEE Statements

Directives 2002-95-EC and 2002-96-EC: EXFO's position.

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Manufacturing and Recycling Standards

WEEE-compliant products

Adapting to Europe’s Recycling and Manufacturing Standards

Since August 13, 2005, all of EXFO’s manufactured products comply with Directive 2002/96/EC, a legislation enacted by the European Union regulating the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or WEEE).

Here are the actions undertaken by EXFO as per Directive 2002/96/EC:

  • We conform to the recyclability and valorization rates (50% and 70% respectively) specified in the latest version of the WEEE directive.
  • We label all our products with the mandatory crossed-off garbage container pictogram.
  • We implemented a procedure detailing the required steps for safely and quickly dismantling our products as well as disposing of substances, preparations and components that contain hazardous materials; this procedure is available upon request.
  • For all countries where this is required, we are registered with the public regulatory institutions, and we specify the number of products that will be introduced on their markets in any given year.
  • We deal directly with a recycler (SIMS).

As for Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS), which restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment, EXFO’s instruments are classified as Category 9 items. Products in this category are exempt from the restriction. However, it is important for EXFO to use Directive 2002/95/EC as a guideline in its product development processes.

For more information regarding our recycling policies, contact us.

When you are ready to recycle some of your EXFO products, please contact our Technical Support group.

WEEE and RoHS-Compliance FAQ

What is WEEE?

WEEE refers to the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, 2002/96/EC, which involves the mandatory recycling of electric and electronic equipment. For most EXFO products, we are expected to recycle 55% of the total product weight and recuperate 75% of the total product.

What is RoHS?

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), also known as Directive 2002/95/EC, involves limiting the use of hazardous materials in electronic products. These hazardous materials include lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chrome, polybrominated biphenyl ether (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). EXFO’s instruments are classified as Category 9 items. Products in this category are exempt from the restriction. However, it is important for EXFO to use Directive 2002/95/EC as a guideline in its product development processes.

What countries are affected by this directive?

WEEE applies to countries in the European Union as well as countries within its economic area (EEA), i.e., the following countries:

  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Bulgaria
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Estonia
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malta
  • Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Romania
  • Spain
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Sweden
  • United Kingdom

 

 

It should be noted that although more and more countries adopt this new approach to protecting our environment, the interpretation of the directive often varies from one place to another (China, Korea, Australia, Taiwan, Thailand, California, etc.).