Transformer manufacturers and the designers of electronic equipment continue to face technology and manufacturing challenges in the design of their respective products to meet the European Union’s (EU) Directive 2002/95 entitled, “Restrictions On The Use of Hazardous Substances (RoHS).The EU’s RoHS directive restricts the use of mercury, lead, hexavalent chromium, cadmium and a range of flame retardants, notably polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. 

While there are a number of exemptions to RoHS requirements, the directive applies to the producers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment in Europe. The involvement of the EU has made RoHS a defacto global standard for nearly all transformer manufacturers.