APEM anticipates the application of the new ROHS directive 2002/95/EC of the European parliament and of the Council of 27 January 2003 about the restriction of use, in electrical and electronic components, of certain hazardous substances such as:

• Mercury (Hg)
• Cadmium (Cd)
• Hexavalent chrome (Cr+6)
• Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
• Lead (Pb)

s directive is applicable before July 2006. APEM has already taken the necessary steps to manufacture ROHS compliant components.

• Standard products manufactured by APEM are already, and will remain, in compliance with the restriction of the marketing and use of the above mentioned substances imposed by such directive.
• Components with tin/lead plated terminals (SnPb) will be replaced by components with pure tin plating before end of June 2005.
• Cadmium oxide contacts (AgCdO), available as specific options on the 600S and 2600S series, will be replaced by silver tin oxide contacts if necessary (with reduced electrical performances) before July 2006.