Understanding RoHS and WEEE Compliance for Electronics

Monday, June 24, 2019

Understanding RoHS and WEEE Compliance for Electronics

Thomas “Tom” Allen Disselkamp is an electrical engineer working as a product development specialist at 3M Company. In this role, Thomas Disselkamp ensures all new products meet global safety standards such as RoHS and WEEE.

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) is a directive covering the production of electronics and electrical equipment. Developed in the European Union, RoHS limits the use of 10 known hazardous materials, among them cadmium, lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls, and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Specifically, it prohibits manufacturers from using more than the allowed quantities of those substances in electronics or electrical equipment.

WEEE (waste from electrical and electronic equipment) is related to RoHS. While the latter restricts usage of hazardous materials, the former provides for means of recovery and recycling of electrical equipment and electronics. WEEE encourages manufacturers to create environmentally safe products and educate end users on appropriate and safe means of disposing those products. Specifically, WEEE requires manufacturers to create user guides for dismantling products, give instructions for removing batteries, and make available to users information on disposal methods. This disposal information includes directions to drop-off and collection points.

About Thomas Disselkamp

Thomas Disselkamp has built a substantial career at the 3M Company of St. Paul, Minnesota. He has spent many of his 30 years at 3M as a product development specialist with team leadership responsibilities. As an expert in the areas of mechanical, electronic, and optical systems development, Thomas Allen Disselkamp has managed sizeable staffs to enhance manufacturing methods. In addition, Tom Disselkamp has won several corporate awards for his performance.

Currently a product development specialist in the Infection Prevention Division, Tom Disselkamp facilitates the design and production of stethoscopes, incubators, and sterilizers. He makes certain that all products meet industry safety standards and have proper documentation. Prior to this role, Tom Disselkamp held a similar position in the 3M Film Manufacturing and Supply Chain Organization. There, he guided a team that improved the ability of 3M to produce stable and reliable plastic films.

Mr. Disselkamp’s previous assignment was in the Traffic Safety Systems division, where he led efforts to design and develop the Opticom traffic light control system, which utilizes the global positioning system. Opticom works with emergency vehicles to change red lights to green. In his earlier years with 3M, he served in the Engineering Systems and Technology group developing and installing on line web inspection systems for defect detection.

In his time off, Thomas Allen Disselkamp pursues many hobbies, including gardening and woodworking. He also donates time to various hunger relief charities.