Sharp opto-components already comply with EU Directive 2002/95/EC which restricts the use of hazardous substances (RoHS) and comes into effect on 1st of July 2006. These include lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl and diphenylether. Most of the hazardous materials in question have never been used by Sharp for the manufacture of opto-components. In the past, only small amounts of lead were used in the plating alloy of component terminal pins. Since April, 1st 2005 the company has used substances in compliance with RoHS to replace these amounts of lead that were previously used as alloying elements. The opto-electronic components are now available exclusively in RoHS-compliant versions.