January 9, 2019
Policy

iDirect’s Environmental Responsibility

Steps towards a Greener Future

The uncontrolled spread of waste materials is harmful to the environment and to human health. The government considers a proper policy on waste management as one of its primary tasks in the area of environmental protection. Waste management policy focuses on tackling the problem at its source by preventing the existence of waste materials. Where the production of waste cannot be prevented, waste materials should be recycled. Non-recyclable waste must be disposed of in such a way that risks to the environment are acceptable. Prevention of the creation of waste is the most preferred option while landfill is the least preferred option.

As a global company with strong corporate values, iDirect is taking measures to ensure it complies with environmental directives issued by the European Commission in January of 2003 and subsequent directives issued by other agencies. The directives are aimed at tackling the fast increasing waste stream of electrical and electronic equipment as well as reducing the total quantity of waste at landfill sites in both the European Union (EU) and worldwide.

EU Environmental Directives
As a producer of electronic and electrical equipment iDirect complies with two EU directives which aim to reduce the impact of the disposal of electrical and electronic equipment at its end of life.

  • The EU Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
    Aims to reduce the amount of WEEE sent to landfills or incineration by requiring producers to arrange for collection and recycling.
  • The EU Directive on the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
    Bans the use of certain heavy metals and brominated flame retardants to reduce the environmental impact of WEEE which is landfilled or incinerated. To view iDirect’s RoHS webpage click: https://www.idirect.net/RoHS

 

Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Requirements

Introduction 

The EU directive, Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (2012/19/EU) became effective throughout Europe on February 2014. The main purpose of this directive is to isolate substances which are negative to health and the environment from the cycle of nature and promote the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce environmentally harmful disposal.

As a producer of electrical and electronic equipment, iDirect is committed to the collection, treatment, recycling and environmentally safe disposal of WEEE. All iDirect products placed on the market from August 13, 2005 are identified as such with a crossed out “Wheelie Bin” symbol on their label. This label (with the crossed-out Wheelie Bin) indicates that EU end users can return equipment to iDirect designated recyclers.
iDirect is working with EU waste solution providers to ensure it has systems in place to manage recycling and disposal of waste on behalf of our customers.

This document provides an overview of the European Union RoHS and WEEE Directives and an overview of iDirect compliance with these directives.

Compliance with RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) 

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive was passed into law by the European Union. It affects manufactures, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment containing lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chrome, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). After July 1, 2006 the use of these materials will be banned in new products sold in Europe. The RoHS Directive complements the WEEE Directive. iDirect is committed to protecting people and the environment and we are identifying any materials used in our processes that could pose a potential hazard to our employees, customers or the environment.

In 2005, iDirect began the process of re-engineering all of its products to ensure that they do not contain the banned materials. The qualification of RoHS-compliant components supplied by our vendors and implementation of new manufacturing processes related to this directive were completed by June of 2006.

All iDirect products and packing materials sold worldwide have been fully RoHS-compliant since the July 1, 2006 deadline.

Compliance with WEEE Directive (2012/19/EU)

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) applies to companies that manufacture, sell, distribute, or treat electrical and electronic equipment in the European Union. WEEE covers all large and small household appliances, IT equipment, radio and audio equipment, electrical tools, and telecommunication equipment.

The directive aims to reduce the waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment and to improve the environmental performance of all those involved in the lifecycle of these products.

According to this directive producers have a certain responsibility regarding their products in the waste phase. iDirect is offering its clients a take-back solution for iDirect waste products all over Europe. Details can be found on the iDirect website: www.iDirect.net/weee for any questions, please contact iDirect, by email to: rma@idirect.net or call (888) 362-5475, extension 8047.

1) Product Design
iDirect uses a standard design for recycling to ensure that its electrical and electronic equipment meets the WEEE dismantling and recovery requirements.

2) WEEE Marking
All iDirect products that are subject to the WEEE Directive (shipped after July 1, 2006) are compliant with the WEEE marking requirements. The products are marked with the crossed out wheelie bin WEEE symbol in accordance with European Standard EN 50419.

3) Information for Users 
According to the requirements of European Union member state WEEE legislation, the following user information is provided to customers in 19 languages for all iDirect branded products subject to the WEEE directive.

“This symbol on the product or on its packaging indicates that this product must not be disposed of with your other household waste. Instead, it is your responsibility to dispose of your waste equipment by handing it over to an iDirect designated collection point for the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The separate collection and recycling of your waste equipment at the time of disposal will help to conserve natural resources and ensure that it is recycled in a manner that protects human health and the environment. For more information about where you can drop off your waste equipment for recycling, please contact your local city office, your household waste disposal service or the shop where you purchased the product.”

4) WEEE from private households
According to the timelines and requirements of member state WEEE legislation, iDirect fulfills its obligations for the financing of collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of WEEE from private households deposited at collection facilities. Details can be found on the iDirect website: www.iDirect.net/weee for any questions, please contact iDirect, by email to: rma@idirect.net or call (888) 362-5475, extension 8047.

5) WEEE from users other than private households
Subject to applicable laws and where replacement products are being supplied by iDirect, we will ensure the proper recycling of waste resulting from any brand of non-consumer electrical and/or electronic items purchased before August 13th 2005 arising at iDirect customers’ (other than private householders) locations in the European Union. For iDirect products sold after August 13th 2005, iDirect will ensure the proper recycling of waste resulting from those products arising at the customer’s locations in the European Union. The costs of recycling described above are free once products are returned to iDirect. The costs of collecting such waste from customer premises are not included in iDirect’s standard offer; however iDirect can provide either a chargeable collection service, or addresses of locations where customers can return their products. Details can be found on the iDirect website: www.iDirect.net/weee, for any questions, please contact iDirect, by email to: rma@idirect.net or call (888) 362-5475, extension 8047.

6) Treatment 
In accordance with community waste legislation, iDirect confirms that treatment and recycling of WEEE done on behalf of iDirect, either by a collective scheme or individually, is carried out in accordance with the requirements of the WEEE directive, as set out in the implementing legislation of the member states, including requirements respecting special treatment for specified parts and overall recovery rates achieved.

7) Information to Recyclers 
As required by the WEEE Directive, iDirect provides reuse and treatment information for each type of new WEEE put on the market within one year after the equipment is put on the market. iDirect makes the required information available to reuse centers by the date specified in member state legislation, typically within one year after the new products have been put on the market or for all products sold after August 13th, 2005. Details can be found on the iDirect website: www.iDirect.net/weee for any questions, please contact iDirect, by email to: rma@idirect.net or call (888) 362-5475, extension 8047.

Download iDirect’s WEEE Compliance Working Document September 2016

Compliance with Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directives (rev 9 February 2011)

iDirect complies with all applicable laws and regulations, including any new material restriction requirements adopted under the revised European Union RoHS Directive, otherwise known as EU RoHS 2 and the upcoming material restriction requirements of China’s Management Methods for Controlling Pollution by Electronic Information Products, otherwise known as China RoHS Phase II.

iDirect’s compliance status to existing RoHS legislation:

European Union 
iDirect products in-scope and put on the market in the EU and EFTA Member States comply with the changes to exemptions required as of January 1, 2011 in Annex I of EU RoHS Directive (2011/65/EU) as set out in the EU Commission Decision of September 24, 2010 and earlier Commission Decisions withdrawing exemptions.

Ukraine
iDirect products comply with the substance restrictions in Ukraine’s“ Technical Regulation on restrictions as to the use of some dangerous substances in electric and electronic devices”, otherwise known as Ukraine RoHS which came into effect on 1 January 2011.

New Jersey
iDirect products comply with New Jersey’s “Electronic Waste Recycling Act” (Senate Bill 2144), otherwise known as New Jersey RoHS which came into effect on 1 January 2011.

Turkey 
iDirect products comply with Turkey’s “Regulation on the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substance in Electrical and Electronic Equipment”, otherwise known as Turkey RoHS which came into effect on March 30, 2009.

Korea
iDirect products comply with Korea’s legislation “The Act for Resource Recycling of Electrical/Electronic Products and Automobiles”, otherwise known as Korean RoHS which came into effect on January 1, 2008.

China
iDirect products comply with China’s, “Management Methods for Controlling Pollution by Electronic Information Products”, otherwise known as China RoHS which came into effect on March 1, 2007.

California 
iDirect products comply with California’s, “Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003 (Senate Bill 20) substance restrictions”, otherwise known as California RoHS which came into effect on January 1, 2007.

Japan
iDirect products comply with the labeling requirements set out in Japan’s “The Marking of Presence of the Specific Chemical Substances for Electrical and Electronic Equipment” (JIS-C-0950), otherwise known as J-MOSS which came into effect on July 1, 2006.

To view iDirect’s RoHS webpage click: https://www.idirect.net/RoHS

 

ROHS Directive – Restricted Substances as per Article 4(1), Annex II:  https://www.echa.europa.eu/restricted-subs-referred-art-4-rohs

Substances restricted under REACH: https://www.echa.europa.eu/guidance-documents/guidance-on-reach

Guidance On REACH: https://www.echa.europa.eu/guidance-documents/guidance-on-reach