AB 218, introduced on January 29, 2008, would amend Chapter 526 by re-defining the European Union’s RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC(PDF file, 114KB) term electronic equipment to mean a device that is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields. Current California law defines electronic equipment only as video display devices.

The bill would exclude from the definition of electronic equipment certain electronic devices, including fixed-installation devices that are electrical or mechanical, aeronautical and aerospace equipment, certain refrigeration equipment, video display devices, electronic equipment manufactured before January 1, 2010, and electronic or electrical lighting devices. RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC prohibits manufacturers from selling products that contain hazardous chemicals such as lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium and other dangerous substances.

The bill continues to be held in the the Senate Committee on Appropriations as of August 7, 2008. See updated bill status for more information.