Hypertherm (www.hypertherm.com) has redesigned its plasma arc cutting product line to comply with the RoHS Directive established by the European Union that seeks to reduce the use of certain hazardous substances in the manufacture of new electrical and electronic equipment.

Hypertherm said its equipment produced after July 1, 2006, is in compliance with the European Directive.

"Hypertherm follows the interpretation of the RoHS directive as advised by Orgalime and the European Welding Association," Jean-Marc Derep, Hypertherm's European service manager said in a prepared statement. Orgalime is the European federation that represents the interests of the European mechanical, electrical, electronic and metal articles industries at the level of the European Union institutions.

The RoHS Directive limits the use of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) for these products.

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. (www.millerwelds.com), Lincoln Electric Co. (www.lincolnelectric.com), Thermadyne (www.thermadyne.com) and ESAB Welding and Cutting Products (www.esabna.com) also have RoHS compliant equipment.