The North American Operating Division of Schneider Electric (Palatine, IL) announced that it is undertaking steps to eliminate lead and several other metals and chemicals from products being manufactured for European markets or sold there, in accordance with an environmental directive issued by the European Union.
By July 1, 2006, the EU's new directive — "Restriction of Hazardous Substances" (RoHS) — will forbid the sale in Europe of any electrical and electronic equipment containing lead, mercury, cadmium, chrome, and the polybrominated biphenyl flame retardants PBB and PBDE. Schneider Electric has set a company-wide goal of July 1, 2005, to eliminate the substances from any products manufactured for European sale, and to remove any such products from its inventory before the effective date of July 1, 2006.
