ENVIRONMENTAL DIRECTIVES The European Union’s (EU’s) Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directives require the reduction and/or removal of a number of hazardous substances, including lead and other materials, from most electronic components, products and assemblies by July 1, 2006, as well as the recycling of most electrical and electronic equipment beginning on August 13, 2005.