Protecting the environment: An update

In recent months, “lead-free production” has been a subject of much discussion in the electrical and electronics industry. The term "lead-free" has long since come to be used as a universal designation for all six substances categorised as hazardous by EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EG: lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB and PBDE.

The reason this subject has become such a hot topic is due to the introduction of Germany's legislation governing electrical and electronic equipment and appliances (ElektroG), which is based on the WEEE and RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) directives already issued by the EU. In accordance with the ElektroG, on 1 July 2006, it will become illegal to use lead and other substances harmful to the environment in certain types of equipment and appliance. The putting into circulation of non-compliant used equipment and appliances will also be forbidden. Therefore, for project engineers, plant constructors and users of industrial and building management systems, the availability of RoHS?compliant products in good time is an important factor if they are to be able to hit the "lead?free" deadline.

The BENDER Group feels duty-bound by the guiding principle behind this environmental legislation and has made compliance with it one of the company's goals. Although our products are currently amongst the small number classed as exempt from the restrictions for the time being, back in 2003, we started to replace the substances cited in the RoHS directive with environmentally?friendly alternatives. For some time now, all product development has been geared towards the "future generation".

Where necessary, existing product facilities have been replaced with state-of-the-art installations in order to enable us to meet the technological challenges of the new production processes. With the increasing market availability of environmentally-friendly electrical and electronic components, it has been full steam ahead to meet our declared aim. - On 1 July 2005, the first RoHS-compliant product was presented to the Managing Board. This date marked the market availability of BENDER's first RoHS-compliant products, precisely one year before the deadline prescribed by the legislating authorities.

We are delighted to be able to break new ground with our customers in this way, making a significant contribution to relieving the burden on our environment and ensuring a safe future for our children.