Directive Decoder

There are an ever growing number of substance information requests around DEHP (bis ethylhexyl phthalate) and BPA (bisphenol A).

For more information follow this link

Directive Decoder

Just a reminder that the "Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Environment 2010" conference is only two months away.

Hosted by Cobham Technical Services / ERA Technology the event takes place at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel, Heathrow on 17-18 November.

With expert guest speakers from such as DEFRA, ECHA, BIS, HSE, NMO, B2B Compliance, Cobham, TechAmerica, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Hewlett Packard, US Strategic Counsel, IES, Young & Global Partners, OKI, TI, CEFIC, COCIR and more this really is the conference not to be missed.

To download the aganda and book your place follow the link below:

Cobham Conference

See you there

Directive Decoder

The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has published details of 11 proposed Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC).

These were proposed by Austria, Germany and the Netherlands.

Interested parties are invited to comment on the proposals by 14 October 2010.

Here we provide details of their uses in electrical and electronic equipment or otherwise.

11 SVHCs-uses in EEE

Directive Decoder

Figures published by the Environment Agency show that the proportion of waste batteries collected for recycling in the UK rose from 9.15% in the first quarter of 2010 to 16.15% in the subsequent quarter.

The UK is therefore on track to achieve its first interim target to collect 10% of waste portable batteries for this year as the collection rate for the first half of the year was over 12%.

However, this remains work in progress as the first legally binding target set by the European Union's Battery Directive is 25% for 2012.

Directive Decoder

The European Commission is consulting (from 20 September until 15 November) on whether or not to extend the exemptions from a ban on hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment under the RoHS Directive.

Two relate to lead and the third to cadmium:

Exemption 30: "Cadmium alloys as electrical / mechanical solder joints to electrical conductors located directly on the voice coil in transducers used in high-powered loudspeakers with sound pressure levels of 100 db (A) and more"

Electronics Yorkshire is set to exhibit at Blundell's Technology

Week and mini exhibition between October 12 and 14

at the companies recently expanded  showroom in Coventry.

Electronics Yorkshire will explain how companies can make use of the unique resources of test, analysis and repair equipment available in their Leeds centre, as well as the depth of training courses it can offer companies from all over the UK.

Electronics Yorkshire is the only IPC centre in the UK authorised to deliver the full range of IPC certified courses to both trainers and staff.

Along with IPC they also offer industry standard soldering and tailor made electronics training courses.

So, don't think Yorkshire, think excellence.

For more information follow the link.

Directive Decoder

Earlier this year the European Commission's industry and environment departments agreed on long-awaited guidance that paved the way for companies to seek authorisations for Substances of Very High Concern (SVHCs) under the REACH regulations.

The guidance had been delayed because the two departments had differing views on the requirements for applicants. Finally, it was agreed the applicants need not submit a substitute plan but provide a timeline indicating when substitutes might become available.

The marketing and use of chemicals on this authorisation list will be prohibited unless producers can show there is a strong enough case to allow them.

Member states have now voted to add the first six SVHCs to the authorisation list for special approval (Annex XIV).

Belgium, who currently holds the EU presidency and appears to want to make a difference during their term in office, has proposed that the open scope on the RoHS Directive be from 2019.

Open scope, unless specifically excluded, is the subject of behind the scenes discussions ahead of a vote on the proposed recast later this year.

The date of 2019, revised from the previous proposal of 2017, is based on the assumption that the recast would enter into law during 2011.

After a delay of several months the proposed list of RoHS exemptions was finally added to the Official Journal (OJ) of the European Union on 24 September and became effiective on that date (some Member States need to amend their national legislation first).