5 - 10 - 20 - what's the next number? (Directive Decoder)

5 - 10 - 20 - what's the next number?

The third draft of "rules" for the Environment-Friendly Use Period of Electronic Information Products (EIPs) quotes mobile phones as 20 years.
This has moved on from 5 years in the first draft and 10 years in the second. So why?
5 years looks too short, 10 years was OK, but 20 years probably too long?
This doubtless comes down to the impression this gives to potential customers. Nokia is on the committee drafting the standard and they, and other phone manufacturers, would not want to give the impression that they will fail after 10 years, even though the reality is that most will be scrapped sooner.
However, mobile phones are often refurbished for second users and so the actual useful life could be more than 10 years.

Directive Decoder

Posted by Gary on April 26, 2007 10:58 AM | Permalink|

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This page contains a single entry from the blog posted on April 26, 2007 10:58 AM.

The previous post in this blog was Cable - In or Out?.

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About the author

Gary Nevison is Farnell's spokesperson and customer interface on legislation that affects the electronics industry, such as the RoHS and WEEE Directives. As part of this, Gary has spoken extensively at RoHS seminars throughout Europe, North America and Australia. He has recently turned his attention to the developments, and impact, of China RoHS.
With over 30 years service at Farnell, he has widespread experience in the electronic components industry, Gary is an active figure in the market place, sitting on the AFDEC (Association of Franchised Distributors of Electronic Components) Council and acting as the elected chairperson for its dedicated RoHS development team.
During 2005, Gary was also chairman of the European organisation DMASS (Distributors and Manufacturers Association of Semiconductor Specialists) and today sits on the board of Electronics Yorkshire, helping local businesses.

Directive Decoder

Expert analysis of european legislation in the electronics market from Gary Nevison of Farnell InOne