| The once humble and now ubiquitous USB memory | | | | Substances and it applies to thousands of electrical |
| stick is everywhere. The promotion and advertising | | | | and computer parts and components imported into the |
| market is awash with them. It’s rare to attend a | | | | EU. This is EU Legislation and you must comply with it. |
| conference, exhibition or seminar and not come away | | | | Finding out you have imported non-RoHS compliant |
| with at least one of these little beauties. The reason is | | | | products and then pushing the blame back to your |
| understandable – they are just a fantastic way of | | | | supplier won’t wash. The fines are significant so |
| distributing data, slides, sales material etc. whilst at the | | | | ensure you ask the right questions and get copies of |
| same time giving the recipient something that is useful | | | | RoHS certificates. |
| and something that promotes your brand beyond the | | | | Point #4 – WEEE Compliance – Its Your |
| event. | | | | Responsibility |
| But before you rush to buy branded memory sticks | | | | The WEEE directive is designed to actively encourage |
| for your own event or campaign there are a number | | | | reuse and recycling. The Directive states that 65% of |
| of critical factors you must consider. The onus is on | | | | IT equipment must be recycled, and materials such as |
| you to know this because not all suppliers are equal | | | | old LCD displays and the larger CRT display, printed |
| when it comes to absolute disclosure of what they are | | | | circuit boards, batteries and computers must be |
| supplying | | | | pre-treated before disposal. USB memory sticks fall |
| Point #1 – Am I getting A Grade (new) Memory | | | | into the same category and must be supported by a |
| Chips? | | | | WEEE recycling scheme that allows the end user or |
| Its not particularly well known but flash memory chips | | | | recipient of the promotional USB stick to return it for |
| are graded. Only Grade A memory chips are new | | | | ethical recycling. If you fail in your obligations to support |
| and give you access to the full amount of advertised | | | | this then you could be prosecuted. |
| memory on the Chip. All other grades of memory chip | | | | Point # 5 – REACH Compliance – What do you |
| make less of the advertised memory available for use | | | | need to know? |
| and in some cases are re-cycled. In other words they | | | | This new European Community Regulation on |
| are memory chips taken out of used kit or recovered | | | | chemicals and their safe use within industry also has a |
| from USB sticks that have failed the build QA process. | | | | direct bearing on branded USB Memory sticks. The |
| If you end up with anything other than Grade A | | | | regulation deals with the Registration, Evaluation, |
| memory chips you are likely to experience a higher | | | | Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical substances. |
| failure rate, you won’t be able to store as much | | | | This new law came into force on 1st June 2007. |
| information on the stick as expected and its possible | | | | The legislation is intended to enhance the protection of |
| you’ll overpay for what you’re getting. Always | | | | human health and to protect the environment through |
| check with your supplier that they are using Grade A | | | | the better and earlier identification of the intrinsic |
| memory chips | | | | properties of chemical substances. The benefits of the |
| Point #2 – USB 1.1 or USB 2.0 and does it matter. | | | | REACH system will come gradually, as more and |
| The short answer is yes. Anything using USB 1.1 is old. | | | | more substances are phased into REACH. |
| Version 2.0 has been around for several years and is | | | | Point # 6 – Choose a reputable supplier with a |
| the current standard, its faster and more reliable and | | | | proven track record. |
| you should expect all of your branded USB memory | | | | The above points illustrate that there is a little more to |
| sticks to be Version 2.0. Users will get frustrated with | | | | buying branded USB memory sticks than just choosing |
| the slow transfer speeds of USB 1.1 sticks and | | | | the cheapest supplier. You have a corporate |
| abandon them pretty quickly which is not what you | | | | responsibility to understand your obligations and to |
| want. | | | | ensure you comply. An easy way to do this is to work |
| Point #3 – RoHS Compliance – You need to | | | | with a supplier of branded USB Memory Sticks that |
| understand what this is. | | | | has the experience and expertise to take all of this |
| RoHS stands for the Restriction of Hazardous | | | | pain away from you. USB2U is such a supplier. |