The new EUG directive aims to reduce the amount of hazardous substances used in the electrical and electronics industries

Technical regulation of the Eurasian Economic Union “On restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment“ (TR EAEU 037/2016) was adopted by the decision of the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission on October 18, 2016. Two months later, in December 2016, the text of the regulation was published.

The purpose of the directive is to reduce the amount of hazardous substances that enter the environment from electrical and electronic waste, as well as to ensure adequate protection of people’s life and health and protection of the natural environment. Compliance with the provisions of the technical regulation also means that users of electrical and electronic products will not be misled about the hazardous substances contained in devices.

Some of the use of substances in electrical and electronic equipment can have a negative impact on the surrounding environment, as well as our lives and health. Which substances are we talking about? Among others about lead, mercury, cadmium or hexavalent chromium. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) are heavy metals that can damage the nervous system and kidneys, weaken the skeleton, and cause behavioral disorders. Hexavalent chromium is also considered a hazardous and highly toxic substance.

Due to the above, it was decided that new electronic equipment placed on the market in the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union from March 1, 2018 will contain restrictions in the content of hazardous substances listed in the regulation.

The regulation covers many types of electrical and electronic devices: household appliances, power tools, telecommunications equipment, lighting equipment, gaming machines, ATMs and cash registers, photocopiers, security alarms and others. A detailed list of devices covered by the requirements of the regulation is available in the list N1 attached to the regulation.

The document sets the permissible concentration of hazardous substances in homogeneous materials in percentage by weight. The technical regulation, in addition to specifying special requirements for maximum quantities of hazardous substances, also contain rules for trading electrical and electronic products on the EU market, requirements for labeling rules and preparing documents operational, as well as a description of the procedure for confirming the compliance of products with the requirements of the technical regulation.

Electrical and electronic products which compliance with the requirements of these technical regulation as well as the requirements of other technical regulation of the customs union have not been approved, must not be marked with a single trademark for products on the Union market.