EU Law Flouted!

Every large corporation - every "normal" business large and small, plays by the rules as far as the law is concerned - if it didn't it would be found out.

Not so with one European Union Law! RoHS is being evaded by many!

For those who have complied with the law, those who gain an advantage by breaking it are a source of unfair competition and great iritation!

The law is supposed to protect those abiding in it! The British Government by not enforcing RoHS is therefore in breach of its Eurpopean membership!

Is anyone from "Brussels" going to note what I just said? I doubt it very much, but I'm sure if we were breaking the law, things would be very different!

There are a number of (smaller?) UK audio manufacturers and importers making hay while the sun shines, garnering gross support from the Hi-Fi press for their illegal merchandise!

I am the first one to admit that the incorporation of RoHS compliant components, parts and solder (as required by law in this country and throughout Europe since July 2006) in high quality audio equipment takes its toll on the sound! In fact, I was the first to publicly declare it in an interview with TNT Audio magazine (circa 2005).

Whereas I have spent my recent life, instead of enjoying it, diligently being shoved from pillar to post in the daily struggle to keep our products free of the RoHS "sound bug", others have simply ignored the law because they don't want the hassle...

It is DEAD EASY to poach my and others early work and make great sounding audio gear - as long as it doesn't use RoHS compliant components!

And that's why these cheats do it!

How do I know? Easy! The manufacturers blab the components they're using in their sales literature - and so do their distributors!!!!!!!!!!

The deceit of these manufacturers and their cohorts is abominable! But where is the law when you need it?

Answer: NOT THERE!

The UK Government Agency responsible for policing RoHS compliance is "Weights and Measures" (the people who make sure you get your full measure of Beer, Petrol, Potatoes, etc). They are conspicuous by their absence!

I am not the type to go reporting such behaviour to Government departments - nobody is completely squeaky-clean - we can all make mistakes, but knowingly and openly breaking the law in broad daylight is wrong and somebody must deal with the problem!

Just who is that going to be?