“The 25 countries of the European Union, as well as Japan and China, are about to significantly restrict the use of environmentally hazardous materials in electronic components and systems. Under the EU’s directive, called Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS), hundreds of thousands of products currently produced and marketed by electronics companies could become obsolete, forcing semiconductor and other electronics manufacturers to re-design some products to remove certain toxic materials. Beginning in July 2006, companies not in compliance would be unable to sell their products into EU member countries. This will have a huge impact on the industry - all chip and equipment manufacturers and distributors doing business internationally must comply with these new directives.” Source: BusinessWire