Bosnia and Herzegovina: What's the connection between chemicals and electrical and electronic equipment?

I often talk about how chemicals are all around us. They are used for various purposes and in different products, even in places we might not expect.

To ensure that chemicals in products serve their function without harming people or the environment, regulations define conditions for use or maximum concentrations.

Chemical regulations set restrictions and bans on certain chemicals and their use in specific products. Recently, I wrote about how these lists regulate CMR substances.

Besides these general rules, there are special regulations for specific product groups. This is also the case with the use of chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).

In the European Union, this issue is regulated by the Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (known as the RoHS Directive). The aim of this directive is to protect human health and the environment, as well as to ensure proper disposal of EEE waste.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, this directive is implemented through the Regulation on the restriction of the use of certain harmful substances in electrical and electronic equipment of the Republic of Srpska.

This regulation applies to the following products:

• large and small household appliances,
• IT and telecommunications equipment,
• consumer equipment,
• lighting equipment,
• electrical and electronic tools,
• toys, leisure and sports equipment,
• medical devices,
• monitoring and control instruments,
• automatic dispensers and other EEE.

There are also defined groups of products to which this regulation does not apply.

Annex 1 of the Regulation specifies the maximum allowable concentrations of substances whose use in EEE is restricted (e.g., lead, mercury, phthalates). Substances that can still be used under certain conditions in some products are listed in Annex 2 (e.g., mercury in fluorescent lamps).

To confirm that EEE meets the prescribed conditions and specific standards, the manufacturer conducts a conformity assessment through an internal production control process. Upon completion of this assessment, the manufacturer issues a declaration of conformity, and compliant EEE is marked with a conformity sign.

Unlike the European Union, where the CE mark is used for conformity marking, in the Republic of Srpska, the C mark is used for this purpose. It is detailed in Annex 6 of the Regulation.

Besides obligations for EEE manufacturers, the regulation also prescribes obligations for importers and distributors.

The management of waste generated from EEE is also regulated by legislation. The Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) is in force in the European Union.

This directive is implemented in Bosnia and Herzegovina through the following regulations:

• Regulation on the management of waste from electrical and electronic products of the Republic of Srpska and
• Regulation on the management of waste from electrical and electronic products of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aim of these regulations is to establish a waste management system for EEE to prevent or reduce harmful impacts on humans and the environment through separate collection and treatment.

To make the most of the positive effects of chemicals, it is important to have rules for their use. Therefore, it's crucial that every segment, including electrical and electronic equipment, is regulated during use and disposal.

Have you had any negative experiences with chemicals in these or other products? Write to me at nina.pajovic@bens-consulting.eu.