RoHS statement

Hirose USA and Restrictions on
Hazardous Substances (RoHS)

The Restriction on Hazardous Substances is a directive from the European Union (EU) and bans the use of certain substances used in the making of electrical and electronic equipment after July 2006. There are six major substances on the list; lead, cadmium, mercury, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB's), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE's), and hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) (better known as chrome 6).

This directive stems from the impact these substances have to humans and the environment from both the extraction of the raw materials and their eventual disposal as well as occupational exposure and exposure following disposal. In Europe, over 90% of electrical/electronic equipment goes into landfill sites, which amounts to about 6 million tons of waste every year. Removal of these substances will reduce both health risks and damage to the environment.

Hirose Electric is well aware of the RoHS Directive and is actively making the effort to offer products that are in compliance with the directive as soon as possible. Some of our products are already compliant and do not require a part number change. Other products have or will have an alternate part number for the RoHS compliant part. Because some industries are exempt from this directive (military, aerospace and some telecommunications sectors), we may continue to offer the tin-lead option.

Hirose Electric USA, Inc. is working on compiling a list of the standard products currently sold in the U.S.A. and the RoHS options for those products. Until these lists are completed, inquiries should be directed to our technical support staff in Simi Valley, CA.