A survey of OEMs, electronics manufacturing services providers and component manufacturers finds that initial compliance to the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) initiative cost the electronics industry $32bn. The study by Technology Forecasters for the Consumer Electronics Association says the average cost per company was $2,640,000 to achieve initial compliance and another $482,000 for annual maintenance. Total compliance cost for the industry totals 1.1 percent of industry revenue, according to the study. RoHS went into effect July 1, 2006. It restricts the use of lead and five other substances from being used in electronics equipment sold into the European Union.
Source: Purchasing, http://www.purchasing.com