Prepare for EU’s green law, WatchGuard warns

Security vendor WatchGuard is urging its resellers to prepare for the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, which comes into force on 1 July.

The vendor has launched a range of ‘green’ appliances in its E-Series product range, which are fully compliant with the directive.

Nick Banks, sales director WatchGuard EMEA, said: “While the subject of RoHS has not been ignored, it has crept up on some people. The speed at which it has finally arrived has surprised a few manufacturers.”

Banks added that although different countries will interpret the directive in various ways, it is better to be prepared in case the UK’s interpretation is more severe than expected.

“We could find that the UK, like Germany, imposes a ban on all hardware that does not comply with RoHS, so anyone in the middle of a roll-out could suddenly find a product is not available any more,” Banks said.

“It is important that resellers make sure their customers know about the directive. It doesn’t involve just security products; it is industry wide.”

WatchGuard will not stop supporting its existing products, and its distributors will still stock them. But from 1 July, all new WatchGuard releases will be RoHS-compliant, Banks added.

Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of distributor Wick Hill, said: “When the deadline hits I’m sure people will be more aware of the directive. It is something we are talking to our vendors about. But for now it is ‘a slow-burner’.

“We are not expecting huge demand from SMEs but that will change. This launch means we are prepared and have plenty of new stock.”

sara_yirrell@vnu.co.uk