Actions for Regulations

WEEE Directive

The EU Directive No. 2002/96/EC on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) took effect on 13 August 2005.

The JVCKENWOOD Group continuously improves its recycling-oriented product development. In line with the WEEE Directive, we have not only participated in the collection scheme of each European country in which we sell equipment but are also enhancing our recycling achievements. The crossed-out wheeled bin symbol attached to our products means that the product is covered by the WEEE Directive.


In accordance with the requirements of the WEEE European regulations, JVCKENWOOD U.K. Ltd is now registered as a producer.

The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive has been enforced in the UK since 2007. The legislation aims to require Producers to finance the end-of-life WEEE collection, treatment, and recovery in an environmentally sound manner. JVCKENWOOD U.K. Ltd has joined the REPIC WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme for its WEEE obligation and provides free recycling of the EEE once a non-household end user would like to return the equipment. Please contact us via our KENWOOD Portal to arrange the collection.

RoHS Directive

The EU Directive No. 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) took effect on 1 July 2006. It restricts the use of the six substance groups lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, PBB (polybrominated biphenyl), and PBDE (polybrominated diphenyl ether) in electrical and electronic products that are put on the EU market.

The JVCKENWOOD Group's products became completely compliant with RoHS by being checked at every stage of the manufacturing process, from the design and development stages to servicing.

Battery Directive

The revised EU battery directive No. 2006/66/EEC took effect on 26 September 2008. It is prohibited to place batteries and accumulators on the market if they do not meet the directive's requirements.

Key elements of the directive are a ban on the use of hazardous heavy metals like cadmium and mercury in batteries and accumulators (except for some use) and the obligation to display the recycling symbol on batteries and accumulators.

In the JVCKENWOOD Group, all affected products comply with the new Battery Directive.


REACH Regulations

The EU Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) entered into force on 1 June 2007. REACH regulates not only new substances but also existing chemicals and requires companies to register themselves if they annually manufacture or import one ton or more of a chemical substance and to prepare safety evaluation documents if they annually manufacture or import ten tons or more of a chemical substance.

The JVCKENWOOD Group has completed investigations on intentionally released chemical substances that are supposed to have negative effects and is now undertaking investigations to fulfil the responsibility imposed on producers and importers of articles with substances of very high concern (SVHC). In addition, we take part in JAMP (Joint Article Management Promotion Consortium) and collect information on chemical substances.

The following substance listed in the SVHC candidate list is commonly known to be contained in cables of electric and electronic equipment:

Bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) (EC No. 204-211-0, CAS No. 117-81-7)

A limited number of our cables for electric and electronic equipment might contain the substance ‘DEHP’.

The JVCKENWOOD Group will continue to work closely with our suppliers to ensure compliance with all REACH requirements.

EuP Directive

The EU Directive 2005/32/EC establishing a framework for setting ecodesign requirements for energy-using products (EuP) entered into force on 11 Aug 2006. It is required to incorporate the ecological design into the scheme of the environmental management system, analyse the environmental burden caused by products over the life cycle, and disclose such information. European Commission has studied saving potentials and is developing concrete implementing measures for several product groups. When an EUP implementation measure takes effect, products must meet specific requirements.

To comply with the EuP directive and implementing measures, the JVCKENWOOD Group designed a scheme to conduct the product assessment and is preparing to disclose information.