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RoHS/WEEE Compliance Statement

RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC)

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS) Directive was passed into law by the European Union (E.U.). It affects manufacturers, sellers, distributors and recyclers of electrical and electronic equipment containing lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chrome, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). From July 1, 2006 the use of these materials has been severely restricted in most electrical and electronic products sold in Europe.

In 2003, Kingston began the process of converting all of its products to be built in compliance with the RoHS Directive. Qualification of RoHS-compliant components supplied by our vendors and the implementation of new manufacturing processes related to this Directive was undertaken in 2004 and 2005.

All of Kingston's products and packaging materials sold to Europe became fully RoHS-compliant on July 1, 2006. Occasionally, in order to meet special requests from customers, we may supply certain legacy products for which RoHS-compliant components are unavailable from our suppliers for use in older equipment. For other regions, Kingston will ship the RoHS compliant memory and Flash products upon request. A Declaration of RoHS Compliance can also be provided. If you have questions regarding the RoHS compliance of our products, please contact your distributor or reseller.

WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC)

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) applies to companies that manufacture, sell, and distribute electrical and electronic equipment in the E.U. It covers a wide range of large and small household appliances, IT equipment, radio and audio equipment, electrical tools, telecommunications equipment, electrical toys, etc.

The Directive aims to reduce the waste arising from electrical and electronic equipment, and improve the environmental performance of everything involved in the life cycle of electrical and electronic equipment. This is translated into the following requirements:

  • Producers (manufacturers or importers) of electrical and electronic equipment will be required to register in their countries.


  • Private households will be able to return their WEEE to collection facilities free of charge and producers will be responsible for financing these facilities.


  • Producers will be required to achieve a series of demanding recycling and recovery targets.

    • Wheeled bin emblem
  • Producers will be required to mark their products with the crossed out wheeled bin. This symbol indicates that the equipment carrying this mark must NOT be thrown into general waste but should be collected separately and properly processed under local regulations.
The WEEE directive has been transposed into each EU member states legislation and so the exact timing and details will vary slightly from country to country, but the above principles will apply. In particular, the arrangements for the separate collection of WEEE will vary in each country but might include for example: public collection points, retailers take back schemes, collection from households, etc. The Directive encourages reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery in order to prevent WEEE. Users of electrical and electronic equipment in the E.U. can therefore play an important role in reducing WEEE and helping the environment by separating out WEEE and disposing of it properly. Consumers can ask the supplier from whom they purchased the Electronic & Electrical equipment from about local arrangements for the disposal of WEEE.

Business users are advised to ensure that WEEE, which is not suitable for reuse or recycling, be disposed of properly via approved authorised treatment facilities. The Producer in your country may be able to assist you.

In the UK, The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 (S.I. No. 3289) were laid before parliament in December 2006. Kingston Technology Europe Limited has registered with a UK compliance scheme in order to discharge its obligations as a producer in the UK which arises as a result of its importing EEE products into the UK. Kingston's UK EEE producer registration number is WEE/ED0057TS. However, please be aware that Kingston's UK EEE producer registration will only provide compliance for EEE products purchased via Kingston Technology Europe Limited in the UK and which remain in the UK. Any person who is responsible for importing any Kingston products into any EU member state (or other country) will have to ensure that they comply with any WEEE or other laws applicable in their country.

Kingston is dedicated to minimizing the impact our products have on the environment and to comply with the WEEE Directive.

Information for operators of treatment facilities

In general reuse & recycling of EEE is preferable to disposal. If disposal is necessary then this should only be undertaken by an approved authorised treatment facility (AATF). Any AATF in Europe requiring further information on Kingstons products are advised to contact the Compliance Officer at Kingston Technology Europe Limited

ROHS in China

China RoHS is a two-step process that identifies concentration limits of certain hazardous substances in electronic information products that are sold into China. Per the deadline set by the Chinese government, March 1, 2007, Kingston implemented step one of China RoHS, self declaration of hazardous materials and marking of the product. Kingston modules that are sold into the China market have the required marking on the product designating that the product meets the China RoHS requirements.

The second step involves a testing obligation which is currently under development. Kingston will be ready to fully comply with this requirement once it has been finalized.


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