The European Union (EU) has issued a Directive on Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This directive states that certain materials identified as hazardous substances must not be present in "new electrical or electronic equipment put on the market" from July 1, 2006. The directive bans the use of cadmium, lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in electrical and electronic equipment.

Ericsson has met all requirements in the directive in accordance with the July 1, 2006 deadline. We work continuously with phasing out banned and restricted substances. Experience shows that this process requires time and a systematic approach for every substance to be replaced. A number of measures have been taken, including working with suppliers to ensure compliance.

• PBB, PBDE and mercury: These substances are already phased out from products.
• Cadmium is already banned and phased out from most products, and will be phased out from remaining products in line with the RoHS Directive.
• Hexavalent chromium will be phased out in line with the RoHS Directive.
• Lead: Ericsson has been conducting studies and tests of lead-free solders and soldering methods for several years. The solder that Ericsson has decided to use instead of lead solder is a tin-copper-silver alloy. This solder has a higher melting temperature than tin-lead solder, which means there must be stricter requirements on components to comply with the raised soldering temperatures. Regarding lead in components, we have agreed with our suppliers to phase out lead in line with the RoHS Directive.

Halogenated flame retardants: Ericsson's intention is to substitute these substances with halogen-free alternatives as soon as environmentally sound, technically feasible and cost-effective alternatives are available.