Palm Treo 650 SmartPhone and Other Brand Name Products Withdrawn From EU Market Due to RoHS Exceedances
by John Laumer, Philadelphia on 08.15.06
According to C/NET : - “The Treo 650 smart phone has fallen victim to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive in Europe…Palm has been forced to stop shipping its Treo 650 smart phone in Europe, because it violates new environmental laws [which imposed a July 2006 deadline]…The company is expected to launch a replacement for the Treo 650 for Europe in the coming months”. Unofficial sources also claim that Apple will be withdrawing peripheral equipment from the EU market, pending redesign work. Pentax also has been mentioned as withdrawing some products. We expect many more announcements on this subject as the end of year approaches .
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this is excellent and will force change upon those who wish to compete. now, let's bring this legislation across the atlantic...
=== author's response follows ====
Suppliers of non-compliant materials in the electronics supply chain are indeed worried about what they call "RoHS Creep": US states following teh RoHS model, and possibly adding other items to the phase out list.
There could be some "dumping" of the non-complaint products in the US; but, in the big picture, that sacrifice may be acceptable as long as global improvements are driven by a well negotiated EU process. Having two designs is not cost effective.
they will rip my treo 650 from my cold, dead hands- How can I do posts on the road without it? I promise not to eat it or landfill it, I just want to do emails on it.
Lloyd, it's not a case of someone coming and taking your Treo off you, it's just that as the components used in the manufacture of the Treo do not conform with the new legislation Palm can no longer import the Treo 650 into Europe.
Personally I think this is great for two reasons: First, landfilling anything toxic is a terrible idea, we're setting ourselves up for a fall in a few years/decades time. Second, it forces Palm's hand to release a new model in Europe! :)
In New York State all computers equipment is considered hazardous waste already and must be recycled by law. I would assume that smart phones fall under that umbrella as well since TVs and other electronics do. If it's a waste stream issue why ban the manufacture, just make it illegal to put it in a dump.
The tip of the iceberg. Wait until China, Korea and Japan come out with their 'RoHS' like rules next year, they are even stricter. This, coupled with the 26 states in the US that either have or are planning ewaste legistlation, will drive some big names out of business.