Glossary

BFRs

Brominated flame retardants: materials used in electronic equipment, especially in circuit boards and plastic casing, to prevent fire. BFRs include polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs), also known as brominated biphenyls or polybromobiphenyls, which are restricted under the RoHS Directive.

 

Cadmium

A transition metal element used in is used largely in batteries and pigments, for example in plastic products. Until recently cadmium was used in mobile phone batteries. One of the hazardous substances restricted by the RoHS.

 

Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS)

A scheme that enables UK retailers and distributors to meet their WEEE obligations, by collecting, storing and arranging recycling or re-use of WEEE. Retailers that choose not to join the scheme are required to provide an in-store take-back service that is free of charge to the consumer.

 

EEE

Electrical and electronic equipment, specifically, equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work properly, and equipment for the generation, transfer and measurement of electrical currents.

 

E-scrap

Another name for e-waste or WEEE.

 

E-waste

Surplus, obsolete, broken, or discarded electrical or electronic devices and their constituent parts (see WEEE).

 

hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)

A chemical compounds that contains the element chromium in the +6 oxidation state. Hexavalent chromium is a known human carcinogen if inhaled, and one of the hazardous substances restricted by the RoHS.

 

IMEI number

The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number of a mobile handset is a 15-digit reference code unique to that handset. IMEI numbers are built into every mobile phone handset produced worldwide, and used to help manufacturers, networks and recycling companies track the usage and location of the handsets. A handset’s IMEI number is usually displayed on the back of the handset or under the battery.

 

In-store take-back schemes

Retailers that are not members of the Distributor Take-back Scheme are required to provide an in-store take-back service free of charge to the consumer. The retailer must receive any end-of-life EEE that was originally purchased by household consumers, and arrange for it to be recycled or disposed of safely in accordance with the WEEE regulations.

 

MCVs

Maximum Concentration Values or MCVs are the permitted trace levels of the restricted hazardous substances defined in the RoHS Directive.

 

RoHS Directive

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive 2002/95/EC: a European directive that restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of electronic and electrical equipment. The restricted materials are: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE).

 

RoHS Regulations

Statutory Instrument 2006 No. 1463: the UK regulations that implement the European RoHS Directive, which came into force on 1 July 2006, and were updated on 1 February 2008 by Statutory Instrument 2008 No. 37. The Regulations prohibit the sale of EEE which contains any of the six hazardous materials identified by the RoHS Directive, above specified maximum concentration values.

 

WEEE

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: surplus, obsolete, broken, or discarded electrical or electronic devices and their constituent parts.

 

WEEE Directive

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive 2002/96/EC: a European directive that sets targets for collection, recycling and recovering of all types of electrical and electronic devices; and imposes responsibility for their disposal on the manufacturers of the goods.

 

WEEE Regulations

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006: the UK regulations that implement the European WEEE Directive, and came into force in 2007. The Regulations place a number of legal obligations on manufacturers, distributors, and retailers of EEE.