Materials

Materials

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Tab 1

The Cisco Product Stewardship program includes policies and procedures regarding hazardous materials that are restricted by either global product-related environmental laws, regulations, or our customers. The primary objectives of this program are to:

  • Reduce the number and quantity of hazardous substances while helping to ensure high product quality and reliability
  • Work with industry consortia to define common qualification criteria and develop viable solutions
  • Comply with product-related environmental laws and regulations restricting the use of certain hazardous substances worldwide

Specific substances of concern and regulation* include:

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Hexavalent chromium (Cr+6)
  • Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
  • Polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE)

*Restricted from use in products shipped into the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Switzerland as of July 1, 2006.

Tab 2

Restriction of Hazardous Substances


Cisco Position


European Union

As of July 1, 2006, Cisco products meet requirements of the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive. RoHS restricts the use of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), and two bromine-containing flame retardants, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in electrical and electronic products placed on the European Market on and after July 1, 2006. Exemptions allow the continued use of certain substances in selected applications.


China

Cisco products meet the applicable requirements of the China Ministry of Information Industry, as outlined in the document "Administrative Measures on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products," commonly referred to as China-RoHS.

Products ordered for sale in China include the appropriate Environmental Protection Use Period (EPUP) label on the product, hazardous substances table, and recycling mark on packaging according to the applicable regulatory requirements and standards. Cisco will ensure continuous compliance with China-RoHS as additional requirements are finalized by the Chinese regulators.


Ukraine

Cisco products supplied by Cisco for the Ukrainian market on and after January 1, 2011 are in conformity with the substance restrictions and permitted uses in the Technical Regulation for Restricting the Use of Certain Dangerous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment approved by Resolution No. 1057 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine of December 3, 2008 ("Ukraine RoHS TR").


Other Regions

Cisco products also meet applicable requirements of other regions that have adopted substance regulations.

Cisco works closely with its supply chain to assure compliance of products and materials supplied by partners.


For More Information

Tab 3

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation is Europe's broad chemicals legislation and is applicable in all 27 European Union member states as well as the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) European Economic Area (EEA) countries of Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.


REACH establishes a new single regulatory framework for gathering information, assessing risks to human health and the environment, and authorizing or restricting the marketing and use of chemicals produced or supplied in the EEA. It impacts EEA producers, importers, product distributors and retailers, and users of chemicals in the course of industrial or professional activities. Requirements are phased-in over several years.


Cisco supports the overall REACH objective of improving the protection of human health and the environment, and has a comprehensive compliance program in place to help ensure that applicable obligations are met within the specified timeframes.


Cisco is strongly committed to working with customers and its supply chain to implement the REACH requirements and help ensure continued compliance. Additionally, Cisco works with electronics industry peers to promote common regulatory and industry approaches to REACH compliance.


For More Information

  • Read the REACH section in FAQ

Cisco REACH Declaration: Duty to Communicate Information on Substances in Articles*

The delivered product and product packaging, based on Cisco's knowledge, do not contain chemical substances included on the REACH Candidate List** in a concentration above 0.1 percent weight by weight (w/w). Cables supplied with the product may contain the following substances on the Candidate List:

  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) (CAS No 85-68-7, EC No 201-622-7)
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) (CAS No 84-74-2, EC No 201-557-4)
  • Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) (CAS No 117-81-7, EC No 204-211-0)
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP) (CAS No 84-69-5, EC No 201-553-2)

This declaration will be updated as soon as any changes occur or new relevant substances are added to the REACH Candidate List. Information is currently provided to recipients of Cisco products in product shipment documentation and to consumers upon request. Visit this site regularly for up-to-date information. Alternatively, email your questions to environment@cisco.com.


* Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006: Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Article 33.

** REACH Candidate List last updated December 19, 2011. For official information on potential future additions, visit regularly: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) Registry of Intentions website.

Tab 4

Brominated Flame Retardants and Polyvinyl Chloride

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are included in the Cisco controlled substances specification, a primary element of our hazardous substance management policy.
Cisco is working with industry-standards technical committees on the implications of substituting for BFRs and PVC in our products. We are also evaluating the impact to our supply chain and product integrity.

That examination includes:

  • Evaluation of halogen-free printed circuit board material and electrical properties critical to the performance of the printed circuit assemblies used in Cisco products
  • Qualification of halogen-free printed circuit board laminates and assemblies in lead-free manufacturing, specifically to help ensure that they perform well through elevated lead-free reflow temperatures
  • Active engagement in industry consortia projects that are evaluating substitutes for BFRs and PVC in certain applications

We require our suppliers to identify uses of BFRs and PVC, and we are targeting validation of the viability of product alternatives in 2011.


For More Information

Email your questions.

Tab 5

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) FAQ


Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) FAQ
Question Answer
What are hazardous materials? Hazardous materials are those chemicals and substances that are legislatively, market, or customer banned or restricted for use in products and/or manufacturing.
What is RoHS? RoHS is the acronym used to refer to the European Union (EU) Directive 2002/95/EC on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
Read the Cisco position on RoHS.
What are the RoHS listed substances? The six RoHS listed substances are lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr+6), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybrominated diphenylethers (PBDE).
Do any Cisco products contain RoHS substances?

Yes. Most electrical and electronic products use exempted applications of RoHS substances, which are allowed under RoHS.

As of July 1, 2006, RoHS substances in Cisco RoHS-compliant products are either less than the specified RoHS limits, or will fall under exemptions exercised by Cisco.
When is Cisco's EU RoHS compliance implementation date for its products? Cisco's European Union (EU) RoHS compliance implementation came into effect on July 1, 2006.
What is Cisco's point of contact for more information about its RoHS program? For more information on Cisco's RoHS program, contact environment@cisco.com or your Cisco business representative.
Can Cisco provide companies with product EU RoHS declarations? Request EU RoHS declarations for Cisco products by contacting environment@cisco.com.
What is Cisco's position on the use of lead in products?

Lead has been used widely in the electronics industry, both in electronic and electrical components and also in lead-based solder. The EU's RoHS directive requires that the use of lead is phased out by the electronic industry and substituted with alternative materials.

Some lead-free components have already been integrated into Cisco products, but reliable alternatives to lead-based solders have proven difficult to find for certain applications. The EU has recognized this issue, and the RoHS directive has included exemptions for specific substance applications and product categories. Cisco will exercise applicable exemptions until lead-free alternatives are identified that meet the performance requirements of its products.

Cisco continues to work with its suppliers to find reliable lead-free alternatives. Cisco will transition products to be lead-free over time as reliable lead-free technologies are developed and validated.
What is Cisco's  strategy for service replacement of equipment? Cisco's service offerings in the European Economic Area (EEA) will meet all requirements of the RoHS directive, including the use of exemptions that specifically apply to repair or replacement and reuse of equipment. Cisco will continue to service equipment under Cisco service agreements, and there will be no impacts to existing agreements.

 

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) FAQ
Question Answer
What is REACH?

The Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, commonly referred to as REACH, is the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries' broad chemicals legislation.

REACH establishes a single regulatory framework for gathering and assessing information on properties and risks linked to the application of chemicals and, if required, potentially restricting chemicals of most concern. Specifically, REACH entails registering nearly 30,000 chemicals over 11 years, and evaluating and authorizing or phasing out the most harmful ones in favor of viable safer alternatives
Why should I be concerned about the REACH regulation? If your company ships product or chemical substances into the EEA or you have other operations in the EEA, you need to be aware of the REACH regulations and determine if and how you are affected by them. You should seek legal advice on how REACH affects your operations.
What is Cisco's position regarding this regulation? Cisco is committed to meeting the requirements of applicable laws and regulations, including the REACH regulation. Read the Cisco REACH position at www.cisco.com/go/reach.
What is Cisco's strategy for REACH compliance? Cisco has a comprehensive REACH compliance program in place to help ensure that applicable obligations are met within the specified timeframes. Additionally, Cisco works with electronics industry peers to promote common regulatory and industry approaches to REACH compliance.
How is Cisco dealing with REACH's Article 33 obligation to communicate information on Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) identified in the Candidate List in products?

Cisco works proactively with its supply chain and industry research workgroups to determine Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) applications in products and provides recipients of Cisco products with relevant information as mandated by the REACH regulation.

Visit www.cisco.com/go/reach to read Cisco's REACH Article 33 declaration on SVHCs (identified in the European Chemicals Agency [ECHA] Candidate List, last updated December 19, 2011) in Cisco products.

In addition, Cisco is managing Article 33 obligations by providing information to recipients of Cisco products in product shipment documentation every time products are being made available for distribution or use within the EEA. Information is also provided to consumers upon request.

Cisco will update its REACH Article 33 declaration should any changes occur or new relevant substances be added to the ECHA Candidate List. The Cisco REACH team closely monitors the status of the Candidate List and related developments as part of our ongoing compliance program.
How is Cisco impacted by REACH preregistration obligations?

Cisco currently neither manufactures nor imports any chemical substances into the EEA on their own or in preparations in quantities of 1 ton or more per year. Cisco's EEA-produced and imported articles do not contain chemical substances intended to be released during the normal and reasonably foreseeable conditions of the product's use as defined by the REACH regulation and existing guidance.

Cisco does not currently have a direct REACH obligation to preregister and potentially register substances, but Cisco has worked and continues to work closely with EEA-based suppliers to help ensure that they are in compliance with REACH obligations, directly or through an actor within their supply chain, and that substances, and suppliers and Cisco's uses, are registered within the specified timeframes, and properly assessed during registration, by suppliers or an actor further up their supply chain.

Cisco will continue seeking guarantees that suppliers comply with all relevant REACH requirements and ensure continued supplies to secure its operations and protect business relations.
Will you discontinue or change any products as a result of REACH? Cisco does not plan to discontinue or change any product as a result of meeting the requirements of the REACH regulation. Should the need arise, products will be discontinued or changed through Cisco's standard product lifecycle processes.
Where can I get more information on Cisco's REACH program?

For more information on Cisco's REACH program, visit the Cisco REACH website: www.cisco.com/go/reach. We encourage you to visit the site regularly for up-to-date information.

Alternatively, contact us at environment@cisco.com.
Where can I get official information on REACH processes and developments? Visit the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) website.
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