Directive Decoder

Restricted substance review

2008-05-16T10:19:38Z

There is considerable interest in the review of possible new substances that may fall within scope of the RoHS Directive following the review by Oko Institute.

I was talking to Paul Goodman, Senior Materials Consultant at ERA Technology, and he made an interesting point.

"The reason that environmentalists want all brominated and chlorinated flame retardants to be banned is nothing to do with their toxicity. Most are very safe and are not hazardous. However, when electrical equipment reaches end-of-life, it is recycled. If this is carried out correctly, this is quite safe and no nasty by-products are produced.

However, quite a lot is sent to Asia and Africa where uncontrolled "backyard" recycling is carried out. You have probably seen reports and photographs of polluted villages in China. These processes include burning the equipment and wire to recover the metals.

Burning organochlorine and organobromine compounds in this uncontrolled way emits furans and dioxins which are very toxic and carcinogenic. These pollutants, cyanide, mercury and heavy metals pollute the air, land and water from these processes causing severe health problems to the local populations.

Various organisations have been trying to stop these processes from being carried out but it still goes on"

Directive Decoder

Pb-free solder: Is it reliable?

2008-05-15T15:07:53Z

Lead-free soldering is a complex topic.

"Confidence in Pb-free is not very high" is the view of many within the electronics industry mainly because it is technically complicated, very different to tin / lead and there is no long term field data.

However, those researchers who have spent a lot of time on this believe that lead-free solders are "probably" reliable.

Also, an increasing number of manufacturers are confident that lead-free solder reliability is OK and they would not change back to tin / lead.

What are your views?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Directive Decoder

Word on the street

2008-05-15T07:38:42Z

Word on the street is that the European Commission will consider the issue of clarifying definitions such as fixed installations, LSIT and spare parts, and not the Oko Institute as part of the current review of RoHS scope.

Discussions were also described as "hot" in a recent meeting to discuss, among other things, the proposed additional restricted substance list. The meeting was an industry only, by invitation, event

Directive Decoder

ECO Design / EuP moving forward

2008-05-09T08:53:10Z

As the European Commission (EC) announce details of their seventh consultation forum around the ECO design of Energy using Products (EuP) Directive (May 28th in Brussels) we take a look at their overview of this important directive. The emphasis is very much on the design stage of a product and, estimates a couple of years ago, anticipate potential energy savings of around 10% once Implementing Measures are in place.

China RoHS - Initial Catalogue

2008-04-28T07:49:22Z

China RoHS – Initial Products According to contacts in China, it is still the intention to publish a restricted substances / products “Catalogue” before the end of the year that will contain a few selective products. Two options are being considered. One is a few specific products such as personal computers, televisions etc. The other is to include materials (these are also classified under Electronic Information Products), for example – solder, where the restriction is for lead. The second approach could have a more significant impact and could include products that are currently excluded from EU RoHS (such as aircraft) unless there are exemptions. However, the first approach is the more likely option. Directive Decoder

What is PAH?

2008-04-18T09:57:17Z

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are a family of chemicals mainly derived from oil and coal but also as by-products from burning a variety of materials. Therefore the main environmental sources are from coke production, from petrol and diesel engine exhausts, from grilling meat and burning toast. Some PAH compounds, such as Benzopyrene are carcinogens, mutagens and reproductive toxins. Very few have direct uses although naphthalene was widely used at one time as mothballs and several are used as chemical intermediates to manufacture pigments. The only restriction today of PAH is from the Marketing and Use Directive which bans the use of extender oil containing any of eight specified PAH in tyres.

PFOS and PFOA

2008-04-17T07:38:19Z

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) was at one time manufactured in large quantities in the USA, mostly by 3M. It was a key ingredient in Scotchgard, a fabric protector made by 3M, and numerous stain repellents. When 3M discovered its toxic properties, they ceased producing PFOS in 2001 with the result that it is now only used, via other sources, in applications where it is difficult to replace. Its uses included, adhesives, paper and fabrics including coatings mainly for textiles, carpets and leather. Apparently 48 tons per year was used in the UK at one time. It was used as it provided "soil, water and oil" resistance.

No to "last time buy" exemptions

2008-04-16T15:53:17Z

There have been many requests from manufacturers for RoHS “last time buy” exemptions. Such an exemption would allow manufacturers to use lead based components where no lead-free option is available. However, these are always refused as were the 9 such requests in the last batch of exemptions that the Oko Institut recently reviewed for the European Commission (EC). The reason behind the constant refusal is based on the fact that alternatives could be used if the equipment was re-designed. While the costs of re-design would be prohibitive, cost is one of the economic factors that neither the consultants, nor the EC, can take into account. Directive Decoder

Deca-BDE - where is it used?

2008-04-11T14:22:52Z

Regarding the withdrawal of exemption 9a in respect of deca-BDE. I asked Dr. Paul Goodman of ERA Technology where it might be used. "Deca-BDE is widely used including polypropylene mouldings, polyethylene cable insulation, PBT and PET - mainly in plastic connectors, Elastomers/rubbers and HIPS (enclosures). Enclosures and connectors will be the most common uses but there will be others". So a fairly wide impact on our industry. Directive Decoder

RoHS the sequel - on its way

2008-04-10T14:53:41Z

As previously reported, the Oko Institut, based in Freiburg, has been conducting a comprehensive review on the scope of RoHS. Here is the latest timetable of events: o A period of consultation on potential restricted substances ended 28/3/08 o Oko will submit a draft final report to the European Commission (EC) by 18/4/08 o EC holding a stakeholder workshop in Brussels on 6/5/08. The results of this will be included in the final report o Final report “due” mid June o The original aims of the review included the clarification of such terms as “fixed installations” and “spare parts”. Whether or not they manage this remains to be seen. o The EC will carry out an impact assessment to determine the likely benefit’s before any new legislation is adopted.

China RoHS Implementation

2008-04-10T08:07:10Z

You may be wondering what has happened to the implementation of China RoHS. As previously reported Phase 1, the labelling of Electronic Information Products came into force on 1/3/07. However, the published date for Phase 2, the first products in the so called “China Catalogue” has slipped from late 2007 to the end of 2008 / early 2009. A reminder of the key elements of the “Catalogue”:

Design tip for easier recycling

2008-04-09T10:44:28Z

Why use heat welding in preference to adhesives? Some plastics melt fairly easily and so heat can be used to bond two pieces together. This is good because no other materials are introduced so that at end-of-life, there is only one clean plastic to recycle. If adhesives are used (also if labels are used), the plastic is contaminated and so has a much lower value. Removal of adhesives is practically impossible on a large scale. Directive Decoder

Plasticisers part of Oko RoHS review

2008-04-08T14:20:56Z

Certain plasticisers are under review for possible inclusion within the scope of the RoHS Directive. So what do they do? Basically, plasticisers are used to soften plastics. Small amounts make the plastic more ductile and less brittle so they do not fracture if dropped. Higher concentrations make the plastic flexible, hence their use in PVC wire insulation. Directive Decoder

More on deca-BDE

2008-04-07T13:55:36Z

Thoughts on the recent decision made concerning deca-BDE (decabromodiphenyl ether) “in polymeric applications”. Here is some further background to the ruling. The European Court has decided to annul this exemption in a case brought by the European Parliament and Denmark (supported by Portugal, Finland, Sweden and Norway) against the European Commission (supported by the UK). The current exemption will apply until the 30th of June 2008. Therefore the exemption known as 9a ends on that date.

Deca-BDE ruling

2008-04-02T15:05:56Z

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that flame retardant decabromodiphenyl ether (deca-BDE) will be “banned” from electrical and electronic equipment from the end of June. The European Commission (EC) had originally granted an exemption for deca-BDE from the list of banned substances under the RoHS Directive. However, in 2006 the European Parliament and Denmark, supported by other EU Member States, took the EC to court as they believed deca-BDE could be replaced with safer alternatives already on the market.