FAQs about RoHS and WEEE
The first RoHs-conforming device of our powerful SIMATIC PC range was already delivered in May 2006 – i.e. approx. two months earlier than required by law. Further SIMATIC PC ranges will be converted successively.
RoHs-conformity is a matter of due course with all new products.
| SIMATIC PC |
RoHs-conformity since |
| SIMATIC Rack PC IL 43 |
05/15/2006 |
| SIMATIC Rack PC 547B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (09/05/2007) |
| SIMATIC Rack PC 840 |
07/01/2006 |
| SIMATIC Rack PC 847B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (04/26/2007) |
| SIMATIC Microbox PC 420 |
07/01/2006 |
| SIMATIC Microbox PC 427B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (04/27/2007) |
| SIMATIC Box PC 627 |
10/01/2006 |
| SIMATIC Box PC 627B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (06/18/2007) |
| SIMATIC Box PC 840 |
No implementation |
| SIMATIC Box PC 827B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (12/04/2007) |
| SIMATIC Panel PC 477 |
07/01/2006 |
SIMATIC Panel PC 477B
19"
12" and 15" |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start
09/10/2007
12/17/2007 |
| SIMATIC Panel PC 577 |
No implementation |
| SIMATIC Panel PC 577B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (01/09/2008) |
| SIMATIC Panel PC 677 |
10/01/2006; Except 15" Touch
stainless steel front (no conversion) |
| SIMATIC Panel PC 677B |
RoHs-conformity since delivery start (09/26/2008) |
| SIMATIC Panel PC 877 |
No implementation |
| SIMATIC Flat Panels |
07/01/2006 |
Remote Kit for
SIMATIC Panel PC |
07/01/2006 |
| Customized PC |
Upon request at your contact person from the  Customization Center
|
 What do the RoHS and WEEE directives as well as the German
 ElektroG (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act) require?
Where can I find detailed information on RoHS and WEEE?
Where can plant manufacturers and mechanical engineers find
respective information?
Which devices are affected?
When will the RoHS directive be implemented with SIMATIC PC?
Whom do I contact about SIMATIC PC and the implementation of
RoHS / WEEE?
What if users require RoHS-compliant devices already before 07/01/2006?
Are the RoHS-compliant SIMATIC PCs compatible with their predecessors?
How will the RoHS directive be implemented for project-specific/customized
SIMATIC PCs?
What does the "crossed-out bin" on the rating plate imply?
In which way does RoHS affect the spare parts availability of SIMATIC PC?
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What do the RoHS and WEEE directives as well as the German ElektroG (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act) require?
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RoHS stands for "Restriction of the Use of certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment".
The 2002/95/EC directive of the European Parliament and Council, dated January 27, 2003, restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It requires that electrical and electronic equipment which will be placed on the market after July 1, 2006 must not contain the following substances:
- Lead (Pb)
- Cadmium (Cd)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Hexavalent chromium
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
WEEE stands for "Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment". The 2002/96/EC directive of the European Parliament and Council, dated January 27, 2003, on old electronic equipment regulates the collection, separation and treatment of electronic waste.
In Germany, the RoHS and WEEE directives are implemented by means of the Elektro- und Elektronikgerätegesetz - ElektroG (Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act). This law regulating the launching, collection, and environmentally-compatible disposal of electrical and electronic equipment was enacted on 03/24/05.
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Where can I find detailed information on RoHS and WEEE?
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Detailed information on RoHS and WEEE are available at EUR-Lex, the portal to European Union Law.
 RoHS directive 2002/95/EC
WEEE directive 2002/96/EC
FAQs on RoHS and WEEE of the European Commission (English)
 Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act - ElektroG
Information provided by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU).
Wording of the ElektroG
Law regulating the launching, collection, and environmentally-compatible disposal of electrical and electronic equipment
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Where can plant manufacturers and mechanical engineers find respective information?
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Many associations offer online support and information for plant manufacturers and mechanical engineers:
ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.V.
www.zvei.org
www.zvei.org/bleifrei
www.altgeraete.org
ORGALIME
"A Guide to practical understanding" (in English) can be ordered via e-mail.
www.orgalime.org
VDMA - Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V.
www.vdma.org
UL - Underwriters Laboratories Inc.
www.ul-europe.com/de/
EAR - Stiftung Elektro-Altgeräte Register
www.stiftung-ear.de
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Which devices are affected?
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Extract from the German ElektroG, Annex I, list of categories and devices
This law applies to electrical and electronic equipment covered by the following categories if such equipment does not form part of another device which is not affected by this law:
- Large household appliances
- Small household appliances
- IT and telecom equipment
- Consumer electronics equipment
- Lighting equipment
- Electrical and electronic tools with the exception of large-scale stationary industrial tools
- Toys, leisure and sports equipment
- Medical equipment with the exception of implanted and infectious products
- Monitoring and control instruments
- Automatic dispensers
Detailed information on the application areas are available in Annex I of the ElektroG.
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When will the RoHS directive be implemented with?
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Refer to the  table above.
The RoHS directive will not apply to SIMATIC PCs which will go through their abandonment stage or will be type-deleted by July 1, 2006:
- SIMATIC Rack PC IL 40S V2
- SIMATIC Box PC 620
- SIMATIC Panel PC IL70
- SIMATIC Panel PC IL77
- SIMATIC Panel PC 670
- SIMATIC Panel PC 870
- Direct key module
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Whom do I contact about SIMATIC PC and the implementation of RoHS / WEEE?
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If you have any questions on RoHS or WEEE, please contact your sales partner.
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What if users require RoHS-compliant devices already before 07/01/2006?
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If you require a RoHS-compliant SIMATIC PC before 07/01/2006, please contact your  sales partner.
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Are the RoHS-compliant SIMATIC PCs compatible with their predecessors?
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The devices are installation-, interface- and software-compatible.
We are also striving for an image compatibility, which, however, depends on the availability of suitable lead-free components. We will provide you with information on image compatibility as soon as possible.
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How will the RoHS directive be implemented for project-specific/customized SIMATIC PCs?
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If you have any questions on customized SIMATIC PCs, please contact your sales partner from the Customization Center.
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What does the "crossed-out bin" on the rating plate imply?
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The symbol for the separate collection of electrical and electronic devices indicates that the respective device must not be disposed of with household rubbish. This symbol will only be attached to the SIMATIC Rack PC, as these are the only PCs covered by the respective WEEE directive.
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In which way does RoHS affect the spare parts availability of SIMATIC PC?
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Devices subject to the RoHS directive and supplied after 07/01/2006 must only be repaired with respective spare parts. All other devices may be repaired both with RoHS-compliant and non-compliant spare parts.
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