RoHS and WEEE Information

The Restriction on Hazardous Substances, or RoHS, is a guideline for European Union (EU) markets restricting several hazardous materials found in electrical devices and components. Implemented in 2006 as RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC (and updated since), this document mandates that metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) be eliminated from electrical components and replaced with safer materials.

A companion to RoHS, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC (and updated since) focuses on reducing the waste stemming from these devices, many of which contained the banned substances described in RoHS.

Zeus is an environmentally responsible global supplier, and we offer a complete range of polymer extrusions that are RoHS and WEEE compliant.

Customers can purchase and use with confidence our extrusions in their natural state knowing that these products contain no resins or pigments with heavy metals. Our technical teams have developed RoHS-compliant alternatives to heavy metal pigments to help you get colored products that are in compliance with the latest RoHS guidelines. We continue to adapt our extrusion portfolio with a variety of organic compliant pigments to provide the broadest range of color options.

Should you have special color considerations or other questions, please contact us today or call toll-free in the US at 1-800-526-3842. Internationally, please call +1-803-268-9500.

ROHS Information

Frequently asked questions about RoHS:

Q: The European Union’s Restrictions of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) has been in force since 2006. How has Zeus addressed compliance with its products?

A: At Zeus, we take our environmental responsibility seriously. We offer only RoHS and WEEE compliant extrusions, so our customers can purchase our products with confidence knowing they are doing their part to improve their environment.

Q: RoHS regulates six hazardous substances: lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (CrVI), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs). Which of these can be found in Zeus extrusions?

A: None of these substances are found in resins that Zeus extrudes in their natural state, and we extrude a full range of RoHS-compliant colored parts. Due to occasional unique customer requirements, however, we have the ability to extrude colored parts which contain heavy metal pigments that include levels of cadmium (Cd), chromium-6 (CrVI), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) if specifically requested. Should you require additional information regarding your particular extruded product and the pigments used, please contact your Zeus technical sales expert.

Q: My company wants to convert to heavy metal-free extrusions. What steps should be taken to ensure we are in compliance with RoHS and WEEE?

A: We encourage all of our customers who must meet RoHS requirements to contact their technical sales representatives to discuss their needs.

Q: Does Zeus now have extrusions that are free of heavy metals?

A: Yes. Zeus extrusions in their natural unpigmented state are free of heavy metals. If color is not a requirement, customers can use unpigmented extrusions. For pigmented extrusions, we have adapted our pigments to remove RoHS banned substances and replaced them with compliant ones.

Q: My company doesn’t export products to Europe. Should I be concerned with RoHS?

A: Although RoHS is a directive of the EU, many suppliers throughout the world meet these guidelines nevertheless. Furthermore, many countries outside of the EU have similar regulations banning the materials listed in RoHS making non-compliance a significant barrier to global trade. Although your company may not directly export to Europe, you may have distributors of your products that do. Therefore, compliance is highly recommended as RoHS and comparable guidelines are unlikely to end.

Q: Will changing to organic pigments affect the performance of the extrusion?

A: Performance attributes of your Zeus extrusions will not be affected by replacing heavy metal pigments with organic pigments. Organic pigments, however, can lose some of their vibrancy during the high temperature processing of our extrusions. Therefore you may notice a difference in color intensity. Generally, finished extrusions using organic pigments tend to be less bright. In smaller diameter extrusions the color shift is somewhat less noticeable than in larger diameter extrusions.

Q: Will Zeus provide proof of compliance with RoHS?

A: Yes; we will provide this information upon request.