On August 13th, the European Union will enact the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) that requires a recycling fee for all relevant electrical and electronic products and elimination of the use of alternative 1000v currents and direct 1500 v currents.

On July 1, 2006, the European Union will also implement the Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (ROHS) which requires all products not to contain six hazardous substances including lead, mercury and cadmium. Currently, ten Chinese made products are of concern: larger home appliances like refrigerators, smaller home appliances like irons, information technology and long distance communications equipment, basic facility appliances like television sets, lighting equipment, electronic tools, toys, leisure and sports facility equipment, medical equipment, and monitoring and control setting equipment.

Most of China's existing electronic products do not meet with the new European Union regulations but much will change as pressure is placed on China's manufacturing planets.