The RoHS directive stands for "R estriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This directive will ban the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing higher than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. The RoHS directive is effective as of July 1, 2006. It is designed to protect human life as well as nature and wildlife