On the 1st July 2006 the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006 implementing the European Directive came fully into force. These regulations restrict the use of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBE and PBDE in electronic and electrical equipment covered by the regulations. Producers and importers into the European Union are responsible for ensuring that their products comply with the regulations and that that they maintain evidence of that compliance for inspection by the enforcement authority.