China will begin implementing Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) regulations on electrical and electronic equipment starting March 1.

 

Hangzhou Daily reported on Sunday that consumers should buy electrical and electronic equipment with green or orange labels, giving a clear indication whether they are environmentally safe.

 

The RoHS regulations require over 1,800 kinds of electrical and electronic equipment sold in China, from computers to mobile phones, to use the environmental labels.

 

The six hazardous substances targeted at are lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE).

 

The labels include two arrowheads in a circle if the product is recyclable. In addition, the letter "E" on the green labels stands for "environmental," while the orange labels indicate a product contains hazardous substances, with its accompanying number signaling its time limit for safety. A list of the hazardous substances must be included in the introduction to the product.

 

Consumers may pay more for the environmentally-friendly products, because of the added costs of making them under the new regulations.

 

The RoHS regulations are similar to those introduced in the European Union last July.

 

(CRI February 11, 2007)