20 - Reducing hazardous substances in electronics

Abstract

Many governments have recognised the necessity of banning hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) to prevent harm to people and the environment. This has resulted in legislation such as the Eu RoHS Directive on the restriction of use of certain hazardous substances. However, the substitution of hazardous substances in EEE may provoke manifold unwanted side-effects, such as increased energy consumption in production and increased losses of scarce metals. In some cases, there are no potential substitutes that can provide the same mechanical and chemical properties as the hazardous substances found in EEE. Therefore this chapter argues for a more differentiated and holistic approach, hence, taking into account the actual environmental and health risks related to the use of hazardous substances compared with the substitutes, as well as more eco-efficiency-oriented measures to achieve a result that contributes to sustainable development.