EU Information

Woodward and the European RoHS Directive
 

EU Directive 2002/95/EC ("RoHS") on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. 

Woodward has taken the position that EU Directive 2002/95/EC (RoHS) is not applicable to the electrical and electronic equipment that Woodward sells. Woodward understands that its electrical and electronic equipment products as supplied to our customers are properly regarded as being "monitoring and control instruments" within the meaning of Category 9, as set out in Annex IA to Directive 2002/96/EC. As referenced in Article 2 of the RoHS Directive, the Directive currently applies to "Categories 1,2,3,4,5,6,7, and 10," but does not include Category 9.

Therefore, Woodward regards the RoHS Directive as not applying to Woodward products as supplied to our customers.

If a customer believes that the RoHS requirements need to be addressed for a Woodward electrical or electronic equipment product, either within the meaning of RoHS or by reason of other requirements considered applicable, the customer should contact their Woodward account manager or representative. The request for adherence to any such requirements of RoHS should be presented as a proposal to Woodward and addressed contractually on a bilateral basis.

Any customer questions regarding this issue should be addressed to the customer's Woodward account manager or representative.

July 17, 2009
 

EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)

Here is a brief summary of Woodward's position on the EU Directive 2002/96/EC on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE).

In as far as Woodward supplies products that can be considered electrical and electronic equipment falling within any one or more of the categories of products set out in Annex 1A to WEEE, we are of the opinion that these products are nonetheless excluded from the scope of application of WEEE. These products constitute a part of another type of equipment that does not fall within the scope of application of WEEE (for this exemption, see Article 2.1 of the WEEE Directive). Such exempted Woodward products include, for example, equipment that is incorporated into (i) means of transportation (such as aircraft, ships, vehicles or helicopters), (ii) equipment using a primary energy source other than electricity (such as Diesel engines), (iii) fixed installations (such as wind turbines and other fixed industrial power generation systems), or (iv) any other finished product that is not mentioned in Annex 1A of WEEE.

Any customer questions regarding this issue should be addressed to the customer's Woodward account manager or representative.

If you have any additional questions regarding this issue, I welcome hearing from you.

Woodward is aware of the REACH rules which are designed to ensure a high level of protection of human health and the environment as well as the free movement of substances in the European Community. REACH has special rules for substances in articles. Our products would be classified as articles under REACH because their shape, surface and design determine its function to a greater degree than their chemical composition. As articles, our products are not subject to the REACH registration requirements because:
 

• Our products do not contain substances that are intended to be released during the normal or reasonably foreseeable conditions of use of the product. Most of our products are mechanical devices that are used to control the fuel flow or energy of engines, turbines, etc.; and
• Our products do not contain substances of very high concern above 0.1% weight by weight (w/w) of the article.

Therefore, Woodward has no plans to pre-register or register any substances in our products under REACH as we have determined that our products are not subject to the registration requirements of REACH.

Any customer questions regarding this issue should be addressed to the customer's Woodward account manager or representative.