EU Battery Directive
On September 26, 2006, the EU issued the new Battery and Accumulator Directive 2006/66/EC, which came into effect on September 26, 2008. On December 10, 2013, the EU issued in its Official Gazette (OJ) amendment to directive 2006/66/EC, directive 2013/56/EU.
In addition to the EU, the US, Canada and China have also made similar control requirements. Please refer to the following table for details:
Countries | Laws, regulations and standards | Restricted substance |
The EU | 2006/66/EC, 2013/56/EU | Mercury, cadmium, lead |
The US | Public Law 104-142 | Mercury |
Canada | SOR/2014-254 | Mercury |
China | HJ 2534-2013 | Mercury, cadmium, lead |
Packaging directive
The total amount shall not exceed 0.01% (100 ppm). On June 14, 2018, the EU issued the amendment 94/62/EC to the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive (EU)2018/852.
EU POPs Regulation
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) refer to synthesized chemical substances which persist in the environment, accumulate through the biological food chain (web) and cause hazardous effects to human health. POPs are highly toxic, persistent, bio accumulative, and long-range mobile. They include biological pesticides (such as DDTs), industrial chemicals (such as polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBS), and unwanted by-products of industrial processes (such as dioxins and furans). In view of the potential harm of POPs to the environment and human beings, the EU issued POPs Regulation (EC) No 850/2004 on April 30, 2004, which started to ban PFOS, SCCP, HBCDD, PCBs, PCN and other persistent organic pollutants in electrical and electronic products.
US CPSIA & California Proposition 65
The US CPSIA refers to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSINH.R. 4040), which was signed into law by President George W. Bush on August 14, 2008. All manufacturers shall ensure that their children's products comply with all provisions, prohibitions, standards or rules of the Act. The USCPSIA imposes restrictions on total lead and phthalates in children's electrical and electronic products.
California Proposition 65 (CP 65), also known as the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, was enacted in November 1986 after being voted by residents of California. Since its implementation, CP 65 has become a widely referenced standard for hazardous substances in the US, affecting all products sold or distributed in California, such as clothing, jewelries, toys, electrical and electronic products, food contact materials, etc.