On February 28, 2006, China published a new law entitled »Administration on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products« (ACPEIP). ACPEIP is often referred to as the »China RoHS« because, as far as the prohibition of substances is concerned, it does indeed have similiarities to the EU Directive for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances.
The ACPEIP regulates the dissemination on the Chinese market of »electronic information products« (EIPs) that contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) or polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) up to thresholds defined in accordance with »Industry Standard SJ/T11364-2006«. In principle, the maximum permitted thresholds line up with those published in the EU's RoHS Commission Decision (2005/618/EC). However, the ACPEIP legislation also includes a number of requirements that go beyond the RoHS Directive. The Chinese law, for example, requires that special labels and supplementary information be attached to EIPs. By the end of 2007/early 2008, it will also make tests and certification compulsory for certain EIPs.
All EIPs that are manufactured in or imported to China fall under the jurisdiction of the ACPEIP. The labeling and supplementary information requirements concern every EIP. A list of EIPs published by the authorities also indicates those parts, components and materials that are affected by the new law. On the other hand, the prohibitions on certain substances and the need for certification prior to marketing concern only those EIPs that will be defined in a special »Key Product Catalogue«. The finalized rules and standards for the creation of this catalogue – and the implementation of certification – have not yet been published.
Time frame
Binding aspects effective March 1, 2007:
1. | Labeling and supplementary information: Affects – with exceptions – every product defined as an EIP. Important note: EIPs that are intended for further processing do not have to be labeled. The relevant information must be made available by the supplier, however (see below: China RoHS information for EPCOS products). | |
Firm dates have not yet been set for: | |
| 2. | Prohibition of substances | |
| 3. | Compulsory pre-marketing certification | |
The latter two EIP listed in the »Key Product Catalogue«. However, this catalogue is not yet available.
