European Union materials restrictions

In addition, the advent of the European Union s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive and the lead-free assembly processes that result are redefining the requirements for base materials. RoHS has a severe impact on all aspects of base materials technology. The impact of lead-free assembly on base materials and a method of selecting materials for lead-free assembly are discussed in Chaps. 10 and 11. Requirements to support circuit densification, reliability, and electrical performance are also critical and will be discussed in Chap. 9. This chapter discusses grades and specifications of base materials, as well as the manufacturing processes used to make them. 

Environmental legislation such as the European Union s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive has a profound impact on all levels of the electronics supply chain, including these components. RoHS restricts the use of lead, which is an element in the solder used for component assembly onto printed circuits. The impact on the base materials and components is primarily the result of higher assembly temperatures that are associated with lead-free assembly. Table 7.1 summarizes the key issues for base material components. RoHS issues will be discussed further in Chap. 10. 

Raw materials or goods which are exported to the USA are subjected to the same restrictions as those which are manufactured within the USA. There is also a duty to ensure that each delivery is authorised by the US customs authorities. Anybody who does not conform to these so-called TSCA (Toxic Substances Control Act) conditions must reckon on a high fine. This article examines in detail all the legal, administrative and financial steps that must be followed before making the first exports, including adhesives. EUROPEAN COMMUNITY EUROPEAN UNION GERMANY USA WESTERN EUROPE... 

The plastic industry continues to move away from toxic colorants, especially those based on heavy metals such as chromium, cadmium, and lead. In the U.S., at least 18 states ban the use of heavy metals, including colorants, in packaging materials. The European Union and some other countries have restrictions on their use, as well. The use of organic colorants or heavy-metal-free (HMF) colorants is continuously increasing, and many colorant producer companies are replacing all of their heavy-metal-containing colorants with systems that present fewer environmental problems and legal restrictions. Colorants incorporated in plastic containers in direct contact with food have to be cleared by FDA, as is the case for other additives. 

The European Union has taken the lead in restricting the use of some hazardous materials in the manufacture of electrical and electronic hardware. The program, referred to as Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), applies to all electrical and electronic products produced in Europe and products imported from other countries, thus has very broad application. The regulations put into force on July 1, 2006, apply to lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium (Cr ), poly-brominated biphenyl (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE). The RoHS guideline document specifies 0.1% or 1,000 ppm as the maximum amount permitted for lead, mercury, Cr" " , PBB, and PBDE and 0.01% or 100 ppm for cadmium. The document also describes guidelines for sample preparation and analyses of the restricted materials. 

The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) is the shortened form for Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It was adopted by the European Union in February 2003 [9]. In July 2006, the RoHS 1 directive took effect and was required to be enforced in each member state [10]. Each member state used the directive as a guide to establish its own enforcement and implementatiOTi policies. This directive restricts (with some exceptions) the use of certain hazardous materials in the manufacturing of various types of electronic and electrical equipment The hazardous materials include lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr polybrominated biphenyl (PBB), and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE), [10]. 

RoHS Since the Directive on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic eqnipment (cotmnonly referred to as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive of the RoHS directive) came into force in the European Union (EU) in Jnly 2006 [167]. Some of the same regulations on chemical management have been adopted in other parts of the world. The RoHS directive restricts the amount of PBBs and PBDEs [168] contained in electrical and electronic equipment to less than 1000 ppm. No electronic electric apparatus can be marketed in an EU member state if it contains those materials in excess of a designated value of RoHS. PBBs and PBDEs are among the large variety of brominated flame retardants (BFRs) used in plastics and textiles. PBBs are no longer produced, but PBDEs were in widespread nse before the RoHS directive came into effect, and... 

With the implementation of the European Union (EU) directive on Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), the printed circuit industry has been forced to undergo a revolution in technology that is unprecedented in its history.The result is commonly called lead-free, a term that the reader will find used throughout this book, even though the restrictions are on several materials in addition to lead, as described in Chapter 1. The reason for this emphasis is that the biggest impact on the industry is the elimination of lead in the solder that is used for interconnection of the components and the board. 

Legislative Issues. The European Union s RoHS and WEEE directives (the WEEE directive addresses waste electronic equipment and recycling requirements) affect not only the lead used in printed circuits, but the flame retardants used in the resin system as well.The RoHS directive restricts the use of specific types of brominated flame retardants. The restricted class of compounds consists of polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybromi-nated biphenyl oxides (PBBOs), also called polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The generic structure of these compounds is shown in Fig. 7.13. Specific compounds within these classes of flame retardants can vary in their toxicity, and given the dynamic nature of legislative initiatives, it is important to check the current status of these compounds when making decisions on what materials to use. 

RoHs Acronym for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, The name given to a Directive of the European Union meant to reduce certain materials considered detrimental to the Environment. 

Official Journal ofthe European Union 19.11.2005, L 302/28 Commission regulation (EC) No. 1895/2005 of 18 November 2005 on the restriction of use of certain epoxy derivatives in materials and articles intended to come into contact with food. 

It is unnecessary to state that contact lenses are considered to be a medical device. As this is the ease, very strict evaluation by every country where they are used is required regarding both safety and effectiveness. These are restrictions and standardizations placed on any medical device. The European Union (EU) in recent years established international standards (ISO) touching upon the material, product, performance, biosafety tests, and clinical trials. 

There are environmental and social compliance elements to which companies must adhere when sourcing certain materials. If left to their own devices, companies may not act in the best interest of the communities they work in or the people they work with, so laws have been enacted to protect people and environments. For example, two European Union regulations outhne requirements for data collection, labeling, and disposal procedures that must be undertaken if certain materials are sourced and used in production. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals) aims to improve the protection of the environment and human health from the risks imposed by chemicals. What REACH does for chemicals is just like what RoHS does for electronics. The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment protects the environment and society from the harmful disposal of electronic equipment or e-waste. 

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