TRENDY young things may change the selection of music on their MP3 players as often as their socks, but from this Saturday, MP3 players themselves will have to be different.

Though high street shoppers are unlikely to notice much difference — except, perhaps, a change in prices — the tiny electrical components in their new players will have been altered to comply with new European rules.

But fears are growing that thousands of small electrical manufacturers and importers could be forced to halt business because of confusion over applying the European Commission directive behind the changes.

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive (RoHS) aims to prevent the use of six substances, including lead and cadmium, in the making of electrical equipment. Lead is often used as solder on circuit boards, such as those used in MP3 players, and as a softener in PVC cabling. Cadmium has been used as a colorant for plastic.

Business groups welcome the motive behind the directive — to limit the use of some of the most significant pollutants in electrical goods — but they are dismayed at the confusion surrounding the introduction of the new rules.

Although large firms have the resources to cope with the changes, experts say, small business owners have found it more challenging to comply.

Gary Booton, director of health, safety and environment at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: “The objectives of the rules are perfectly laudable, but many companies which have made applications for exemptions (to the Commission) in a timely fashion are unlikely to receive a decision before Saturday.”

While there are blanket exemptions from the RoHS rules for monitoring and control equipment, such as burglar alarms, landfill gas analysers and all medical equipment, the Commission’s technical adaptation committee has already granted many further exemptions for some firms to use some of the prohibited substances under certain circumstances.

Yet although the committee is unlikely to consider all applications before Saturday’s deadline, the Department of Trade and Industry has not indicated that companies that have not yet had a response to their application will have any leeway. However, it says it is pressing the Commission to act quickly.

Mr Booton said: “There has to be an acceptance that in some instances these materials are used for purely technical reasons, not because they look nice. All we are asking for is a reasonable approach while companies wait to hear if their application has been successful.”

Mark Shayler, of Eco3, an environmental consultancy, said: “Firms who are waiting to hear about their application cannot just change their working methods overnight. Their business may be forced to halt.”

Businesses that import electrical goods may also be disrupted. Mr Shayler said: “There is a particular threat for importers of electrical equipment where non-compliant products are still being shipped in. Unless they clear customs in the European Economic Area by Saturday, they will not be able to be sold on the market, as it is the date of arrival that is key rather than the date the product was ordered.”

UK electrical manufacturers that fall foul of the new rules will be liable to a fine of £5,000 on a summary conviction, or an unlimited fine if they are found guilty by a jury.

They may well look across the Channel with envy. French firms that do not comply with the RoHS rules will be fined no more than €1,500 (£1,000).

Equally, UK firms will be relieved that they are not in Ireland, where directors of firms that break the rules face up to ten years in prison.

High street prices of electrical goods are likely to rise as manufacturers cover the costs of replacing the banned substances.

Companies will also have to foot the bill for due diligence. Mr Shayler said: “Our research shows that the cost of manufacturing electrical goods is likely to rise by about 5 per cent — but Chinese manufacturers that have changed their working practices to comply with the rules are saying their costs have risen by 30 per cent.”

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