Review on microstructure evolution in Sn-Ag-Cu solders and its effect on mechanical integrity of solder joints

Scopus - Document details: "The use of Pb-bearing solders in electronic assemblies is avoided in many countries due to the inherent toxicity and environmental risks associated with lead. Although a number of "Pb-free" alloys have been invented, none of them meet all the standards generally satisfied by a conventional Pb-Sn alloy. A large number of reliability problems still exist with lead free solder joints. Solder joint reliability depends on mechanical strength, fatigue resistance, hardness, coefficient of thermal expansion which are influenced by the microstructure, type and morphology of inter metallic compounds (IMC). In recent years, Sn rich solders have been considered as suitable replacement for Pb bearing solders. The objective of this review is to study the evolution of microstructural phases in commonly used lead free xSn-yAg-zCu solders and the various factors such as substrate, minor alloying, mechanical and thermo-mechanical strains which affect the microstructure. A complete understanding of the mechanisms that determine the formation and growth of interfacial IMCs is essential for developing solder joints with high reliability. The data available in the open literature have been reviewed and discussed. "

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New nanoalloys for high temperature soldering

New nanoalloys for high temperature soldering:


Nanowerk News) Removing lead from manufacturing processes and products is high priority for the EU. A European research programme has tackled the problem of high-temperature solders used in the electronics industry.
On soldering components on a printed circuit board, it is crucial that the joints do not remelt in subsequent soldering operations. The electronics industry is therefore inclined to use solder material containing a high percentage of lead with a higher melting point (300 °C and above).
One solution is to use so-called nanosolders based on tin-antimony (Sn-Sb) alloys. Nanoparticles have a lower melting point than the bulk substance. Funded by the EU, the project 'A chemical approach to lead-free nanosolders' (Nanosold) aimed to develop new lead-free high-temperature solders with Sn-Sb-M alloys. M is silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and nickel (Ni).
Concentrating on the two ternary alloy systems Sn-Sb-Ag and Sn-Sb-Cu, the Nanosold project investigated the thermodynamic properties, the sum of the features of the individual phases. The team used the so-called 'Computer coupling of phase diagrams and thermochemistry' (Calphad) method enabling the scientists to reliably predict the thermodynamic properties without experimental information.
To refine the phase relations in the Sn-Sb-Ni system, Nanosold used other complementary methods. These included powder X-ray diffraction, electron probe micro-analysis, scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis.
A reduction in melting point of up to 11 °C was achieved using nanoalloys rich in Sn prepared by a chemical reduction method. Particle size was modified to be in the range of 50 to 150 nm which would translate into a size-dependent lowering of soldering temperature in any practical application.
Although there are further problems to be worked on, solder pastes based on nanoalloys would achieve a decrease in melting point. From an environmental point of view, the new nanoalloys remove a very toxic element from electronic appliances' manufacturing.
Source: Cordis



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ERA Technology | ERA Conference 2012 : 14 – 15 November 2012 | Specialist technical consultancy

ERA Technology | ERA Conference 2012 : 14 – 15 November 2012 | Specialist technical consultancy:


ERA Conference 2012 : 14 – 15 November 2012
Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Environment 2012: Meeting the Technical and Regulatory Challenges
Conference Programme now available >> download
To book a place at the conference click here.
ERA’s annual conference, now its fourteenth year, attracts delegates from a broad range of professions involved in compliance, design, quality assurance and the production and distribution of electrical and electronic equipment. Click here to find out more about exhibition and sponsorship opportunities.
The event promises to be as stimulating and enlightening as ever, targeting hot topics from the introduction of RoHS2 and future amendments to the REACH regulation and WEEE directive, to the continuing struggle to exclude conflict minerals from the supply chain.  The comprehensive 2012 programme includes:
Progress in Driving Conflict Free Sourcing. Carolyn Duran, Intel
Innovation, sustainability and public procurement. Maya de Souza, DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
RoHS 2 : interpretation and developments. Peter Askew, BIS (Department for Business, Innovation and Skills)
Developments in enforcement of RoHS and Eco-design. Chris Smith, NMO (National Measurement Office)
RoHS 2 : EN Standards to support manufacturers of finished products. Iain Lindsay, Rockwell Automation
Practical application of EN 50581 to generate Technical Documentation for RoHS2. Aidan Turnbull, Environ
Managing RoHS 2 compliance conformity in a global business. Eric Agoyé, GE Healthcare
Facing the challenge of REACH substance authorisation. Cristian Samoilovich, ADS
Developments in substance restriction legislation. Paul Goodman, ERA
Flame retardants – an update on regulatory status and environmental assessments. Adrian Beard, Clariant
A review of progress on EU eco-design measures. Mike Walker, DEFRA
Ecodesign: Product Directives and System Control – a view from an industrial control perspective. Steve Bramley, GAMBICA
Understanding and implementing ecodesign directive network standby requirements. Greg Batts, Kodak
Material sustainability – minimising technical and business risk. Chris Robertson, ERA
The WEEE Recast in the UK. David Styles, BIS
Status Report on US Product Related Environmental Restrictions for Electronic Products and Outlook for 2013. Holly Evans, Strategic Counsel
Implication of the Recast Directive for Business Products. David Burton, B2B Compliance
A recycling study for plastics from LCDs focusing on plastics with flame retardants. Lein Tange, EFRA
Our expert panel of organisers includes Dr. Chris Robertson and Dr. Paul Goodman, both of whom work for ERA Technology Ltd within our regulatory compliance department.  ERA has helped numerous companies comply with RoHS, REACH and eco-design requirements, and also supports the European Commission, having previously assisted them in reviewing categories for inclusion and exemption in the RoHS directive and have recently completed projects to analyse the impact of RoHS2 as well as leading a preparatory study into industrial and laboratory furnaces and ovens.
The conference offers delegates a chance to meet with representatives of organisations directly involved with the implementation and enforcement of regulatory policy, as well as affording them the opportunity to learn from and connect with colleagues grappling with similar issues to their own.
This conference is the best event of its kind to interact and interface with leading organisations at the forefront of the electrical and electronic sector.






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IPC Medical Industries Technical Conference

IPC Medical Industries Technical Conference:

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November 7–9, 2012 | Wyndham Hotel-Boston | Andover, Massachusetts

Gain working knowledge that you need for implementation of lead-free electronics manufacturing processes.

Learn about engineering challenges associated with materials selection, reliability, testing and supply chain quality control, as well as potential solutions.
Take home practical applications that you can use today, from technical experts who will share lessons learned from the leaded-to-lead-free conversion process at their own operations, and those of their suppliers.
Connect with colleagues who can help you work effectively and efficiently.
The July 2014 deadline for regulatory compliance applies only in Europe at this time, but it is a wake-up call for all organizations with global sourcing and distribution in the medical sector.

AGENDA

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Workshop 9:00 am–3:30 pm
Challenges of Conversion: From Leaded to Lead-Free Operation
Leo Lambert, Vice President, EPTAC Corporation and Umut Tosun, CTO, ZESTRON America

Be prepared for the challenges of converting to lead free from a leaded operation.

Process awareness issues based upon the conversion will be covered, including specification changes implemented with new alloy introduction and differences in the metallurgy.
What You Will Learn
Process changes for implementation
Laminate and material changes involved in the conversion
Thermal profile differences
Lessons learned since introduction of lead-free materials in the industry
Criticality of cleaning
Your Instructors
With more than 30 years of experience and special expertise in metallurgy and soldering, Leo Lambert provides expert consultation developing, troubleshooting and auditing manufacturing processes. He is a Master IPC Trainer for one of the most widely-utilized industry training programs (IPC-A-600 for Acceptability of Printed Boards).
Umut Tosun is the application technology manager at ZESTRON America, and has published in leading electronics manufacturing publications and presented technical papers and studies at international conferences. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and master’s degree in chemical engineering from the Technical University of Hamburg, Germany.

TOUR 3:30 pm–5:00 pm
Customer Visit Center at the Philips Healthcare offices



THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Technical Conference
7:30 am Check-in and Continental Breakfast
8:00 am Welcome and Introductions
Po Tse, Ph.D., Candidate, Sr. Reliability Risk Manager, Philips Healthcare
8:15 am Keynote: Reliability Priorities for Lead Free
Peter van der Heide, Ph.D., Sr. Director of Product Creation Process, Philips Healthcare
9:00 am Supply Chain: Lead-Free Quality Concerns and Expectations
Ravi Nabar, Ph.D., Sr. Director of Supplier Quality, Philips Healthcare
9:45 am PERM (Pb-free Electronics Risk Management) Status Report
Anthony Rafanelli, Ph.D., P.E., Engineering Fellow, Raytheon
10:30 am BREAK
10:45 am Past, Present and Future Lead-Free Projects Within HDPUG
Marshall Andrews, Executive Director, HDPUG (High Density Packaging User Group)
11:30 am Roles and Responsibilities Within Medical Electronics Manufacturing Organizations
Mulugeta Abtew, Senior Manager, Sanmina-SCI
12:15 pm LUNCHEON
1:15 pm Lead-Free PCB Testing: Experiences in the Medical Sector
Raj Kumar, Vice President of PCB Technology, Viasystems
2:00 pm Simulation-Based Reliability Assessment of RoHS compliant Electronic Equipment
Michael Osterman, Ph.D., Research Associate, CALCE, University of Maryland
2:45 pm BREAK
3:00 pm Sherlock II Prediction Model for Reliability
Craig Hillman, Ph.D., CEO and Managing Partner, DfR Solutions
3:45 pm Lead-Free PCB Cleanliness Requirements
Mike Bixenman, DBA, CTO, Kyzen Corporation
4:45 pm Concluding Remarks
5:00–6:30 pm NETWORKING RECEPTION at the Wyndham Hotel
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Technical Conference
7:30 am Check-in and Continental Breakfast
8:00 am Keynote: Benefit, Risk, and the FDA
Elisabeth George, Vice President Global Regulations & Standards, Philips Healthcare
8:45 am RoHS and Related Environmental Legislation Issues in the Context of Implantable Medical Electronics
Peter Tortorici, Ph.D., New Product Development Manager, Medtronic
9:15 am BREAK
10:30 am Optimal Choices for Lead-Free Soldering Materials
Karl Seelig, Vice President-Technology, AIM Solder
11:00 am Tin Whiskers: Detection, Formation, Mitigation
Bob Landman, President and CTO, H&L Instruments
11:45 am Concluding Remarks
12:00 pm ADJOURN

Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Environment - European Commission

Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment - Environment - European Commission:

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he new RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU (RoHS 2) entered into force on 21 July 2011 and requires Member States to transpose the provisions into their respective national laws by 2  January 2013. At the 2011 RoHS/WEEE Technical Adaptation Committee meeting, the Commission and Member States established an official working group, pursuant to the TAC rules of procedure, for the preparation of a RoHS 2 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document. The working group completed its work in June 2012.
The FAQ are intended to help economic operators interpret the provisions of RoHS 2 in order to ensure compliance with the Directive’s requirements. They are considered a ‘living document’ and may be revised in the future.
Should stakeholders have any comments on the current version (with references to the respective questions and answers), they are asked to submit them to ENV-ROHS@ec.europa.eu until 14 September 2012.
The existing Commission FAQ document related to 2002/95/EC will remain valid until that Directive is repealed on 3 January 2013.

Orgalime Updates their Guide on Recast RoHS Directive, July 2011

The September 2012 update of "A practical Guide to understanding the specific obligations of Recast Directive 2011/65/EU on the Restriction of the use of Certain Hazardous Substances in EEE (RoHS II)”, update of September 2012."  has just bee n published.

This updated Guide on the Recast RoHS Directive aims at explaining the main changes and obligations arising from the recast, especially in the following areas:
• Scope
• Substance restrictions
• Exemptions
• Alignment of the Directive with the New Legislative Framework
• Terms and Definitions
• Review
• Transposition
• Comitology
Its update of September 2012 provides to readers the common understanding of the Directive of the affected European manufacturers of electrical and electronic equipment in the context of the Commission’s consultation on the draft RoHS2-FAQ Guidance Document of 15 June 2012 and its announced possible revision before 3 January 2013.
This updated version of the Orgalime RoHS Guide is available free of charge for downloading at http://publications.orgalime.org.
This Orgalime Guide and its update is to be considered as complementary to other Orgalime Guides on the WEEE and RoHS Directives. These other Orgalime Guides remain valid until repeal of the initial RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC taking effect from 3rd January 2013.
Orgalime's new updated RoHS Guide represents a living document that may be updated in the future according to implementation progress.
Orgalime, the European Engineering Industries Association, speaks for 37 trade federations representing some 130,000 companies in the mechanical, electrical, electronic, metalworking & metal articles industries of 22 European countries. The industry employs some 10.2 million people in the EU and in 2011 accounted for some €1,666 billion of annual output. The industry not only represents some 28% of the output of manufactured products but also a third of the manufactured exports of the European Union.

Orgalime Guides:

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RoHS the world over

Through the draft Regulation on the Declaration of Conformity for Pollution Control in Electrical and Electronic Product Enterprises of 18 July 2012 (公开征集《电子电气产品污染控制企业符合性声明规范》意见), China is taking one-step further action on the implementation of advanced RoHS control system. Amongst others, the draft Regulation of 18 July 2012 would provide all EEE producers and importers with a harmonized method of proofs and declaration on their conformance with voluntary and mandatory RoHS scheme in China.

Israel finally adopted the Environmental Treatment of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Law 2012 (חוק לטיפול סביבתי בציוד חשמלי ואלקטרוני ובסוללות, התשע"ב-2012) which is combination of the EU Directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE2 recast) 2012/19/EU of 4 July 2012 and Directive 2006/66/EC on waste batteries and accumulators. The Law will require manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic equipment (including batteries) to meet take-back and recycling targets as well as reporting and record keeping obligations as from 1 January 2014. EU WEEE Recast Directive 2012/19/EU of 4 July 2012 will extend WEEE requirements to all EEE placed on the EU market as from 15 August 2018.

Peru Supreme Decree No. 001-2012-MINAM approving the Regulation on the Management of Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (Decreto Supremo No. 001-2012-MINAM que aprueba el Reglamento Nacional para la Gestión y Manejo de los Residuos de Aparatos Eléctricos y Electrónicos) starts requiring producers, importers, and/or distributor of electric and electronic equipment to have or enroll in a WEEE management system as from 28 June 2012. The draft European Commission Regulation of July 2012 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for computers and computer servers is another big issue for electronics companies and may potentially impact:
- desktop computers;
- integrated desktop computers;
- notebook computers;
- desktop thin clients;
- workstations and mobile workstations; and
- small-scale servers and computer servers.

• [Cyprus] Recovery and recycling obligations of packaging extended to more companies
• [EU] Directive on energy efficiency proposed
• [Lithuania] Online registration required for EEE producers and importers of electric and electronic equipment
• [South Korea] Electromagnetic wave labeling required for wireless equipment
• [Thailand] WEEE management policy and regulation under consideration
• [UK-Scotland] New system for environmental regulation proposed
• [China] WEEE treatment fee imposed on producers and importers
• [EU] Calculation method of recycling efficiency for waste batteries and accumulators provided
• [China] Further hazard prevention and health record- keeping required
• [China] Revised China RoHS II Proposal released
• [Estonia] Suppliers and retailers of energy-related products must now comply with new framework for labelling and product information
• [France] WEEE and waste batteries management further harmonized with EU requirements
• [Germany] Recommendation on Risk assessment of nanomaterials at workplaces released
• [Turkey] WEEE Regulation entered into force
• [EU] Eight substances under consideration as substances of very high concern (SVHC)
• [Germany] Energy related products shall bear energy efficiency label
• [Venezuela] Electric and electronic waste take-back pilot program launched

Global EHS Compliance Insight

From Proactive EHS Compliance to Lobbying

Young & Global Partners

8 September 2012

http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=rn7iveeab&v=0015qKm9V6FEG5UNsMk_8S9PQxire7yO1uSEJLJsGMHqHK1k9bu_Vs-dIF7wcuyqeB8fWibTCabdY3dvdfkbBVvF0KGcYGZb1nbfRLWmX0KfIQKhtakPayz6brI6aj5-F5I_5Wy8x4-5tme7nJ_VarvLeWDnrQKeWWzfXnRXfwwgCyrBDXWuqbagdArDe9iFvBfujuaeD0SstucqNGqGla32rjvF90O0-W8iJhdMJwkAhy8owNoX15nxuO4K6IOcAwmujAgIfDRmiw5_RSJVPv3aYOEWWAkHytCGA-evONQkemN-Hf_CwkUYFdzziPCqFmjx49Q2SMbP1GjaJAG6SFc2vIMhRQo9tYMmp_wiFsZpUU%3D

THE Pb-FREE IN ELECTRONICS RISK MITIGATION (PERM) CONSORTIUM

A paper has just be released describing the organization, content, and expectations of the newly formed Pb-free Electronics Risk Mitigation (PERM) consortium and its stakeholders. PERM was created as a more focussed group of the LEAP consortium.

The AIA-sponsored Pb-free Electronics in Aerospace  Project (LEAP) has been the premier industry working group in the the defense/aerospace industry since 2004.  It has worked to identify and address the risks and other challenges associated with the use of Pb-free electronics in high performance & high reliability equipment.  It has successfully provided resources such as handbooks and standards as well as templates, guidelines, and other tools to support risk mitigation.  However, the use of Pb-free materials has grown to such an extent that many components/parts are no longer available in tin-lead (either surface finishes or interconnection media).   Engineers have been forced to use some Pb-free parts in their new designs or,  in  many  cases,  as  part  of retrofits and upgrades, leading to concern over performance and reliability.

An ad hoc sub-committee of the LEAP team spent over a year producing a more focused entity called the Pb-free Electronics Risk Mitigation (PERM) consortium, to provide overarching executive leadership and coordination of Pb-free electronics risk management activities for the aerospace and defense community on both the government and industry side.   It is focussed on those activities that provide value-added results.  More information


http://www.ipcoutlook.org/pdf/pb_free_risk_mitigation_smta.pdf

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'WEEE II’

ENDS Legal Compliance Manager: The recast EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (‘WEEE II’) Directive will repeal and replace the original EU WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC from 15 February 2014, so as to increase national collection targets, as well as recovery targets, and extend the scope of the Directive. It applies to specific forms of WEEE (such as household appliances) from 13 August 2012, but will switch to ‘open scope’, with certain exemptions, from 15 August 2018. It is due to be transposed into Member State law from 14 February 2014.

The Directive will allow the existing national collection target of at least four kilograms of WEEE per person from private households to remain until 31 December 2015. From 1 January 2016, however, the national collection targets will increase to require a minimum collection rate of 45 per cent (or 40 per cent for new Member States) until the end of 2018, based on the average weight of WEEE placed on the market in each state over the previous three years. From 1 January 2019, Member States may either collect at least 65 per cent of EEE placed on the market or 85 per cent of WEEE generated each year, with new Member States permitted to delay the introduction of higher targets until 14 August 2021.

Recovery targets are also laid out that will increase every three years from August 2012, with certain products moving from a ‘recycling’ target to a ‘preparation for re-use and recycling’ target from August 2015.

Industry seeks 11 new RoHS exemptions

Consultation on a series of new exemptions from the RoHS directive's restrictions on toxic substances in electrical and electronic equipment opened on Tuesday.
The 11 requests largely concern the use of hexavalent chromium, mercury, cadmium and lead in medical equipment and lighting products.
Medical equipment association COCIR has made four requests covering different scanning devices. These are the latest in a series of requests from the organisation.
Lighting industry bodies CELMA, ELCF and Italian federation ANIE have requested five exemptions. The other requests are for the extension of exemptions for radiation detector components to new uses and the use of lead in a type of medical lamp.
Responses to the consultation, run by Öko-Institut, should be made by 4 September.

Follow Up:

Consultation and guidance document

RoHS Exemptions - Review of Annex to RoHS Directive: Consultation:

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Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: call for evidence

Open date: 28 May 2012

Closing date: 23 Jul 2012

Call for evidence to seek data from key stakeholders that can be used to assess the compliance costs to existing Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) system.

Following the 2012 Budget, BIS committed to consult on preventing excessive compliance costs for business arising from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations.

This call for evidence aims to improve the evidence we have regarding compliance costs arising from the UK WEEE Regulations. It aims to help to inform our decisions about alternative policy proposals to reduce burdens on business whilst ensuring environmental objectives are achieved.

Following the closure of the call for evidence on the 23 July 2012, we will assess the results against the data that we already hold and use these to develop proposals. We will issue a formal consultation on these proposals early next year. This consultation will enable the proposals to be introduced alongside changes required to transpose the requirements of the recast EU WEEE Directive agreed in December 2011.

Section 7 of the below call for evidence document includes the call for evidence questions. Three pro-forma excel spreadsheets are also provided below for data collection intended for producers of electrical and electronic equipment, Producer Compliance Schemes, and WEEE treatment facilities



Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment: call for evidence | Consultations | BIS:

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Draft Version of New China RoHS Published - Measures for Administration of the Pollution Control of Electronic and Electrical Products

The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published draft Measures for Administration of the Pollution Control of Electronic and Electrical Products (known as new China RoHS) for public consultations. The deadline for comment is 10 July 2012. The old measures issued in 2006 will be revoked once the new measures enter into force.

New China RoHS also restricts the use of certain hazardous substances such as lead, mercury, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium and flame retardants such as polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in electrical and electronic equipments and their packaging materials. However, there are a few changes(for example, change of product scope, new labeling requirement and flexible certification mechanism) in the new China RoHS that companies might need to know before placing electronic and electrical products on the Chinese market.

Change of Product Scope

Old China RoHS regulates electronic information products which are referred to as electronic radar products, electronic communication products, broadcast and television products, computer products, household electronic products, electronic measurement instrument products, security products for electron, electronic component products, electronic application products, electronic material products, and other relative products and their accessory parts.

Products affected by new China RoHS include electrical and electronic equipments which are designed for use with a voltage rating not exceeding 1000 Volt for alternating current and 1500 Volt for direct current(similar to EU RoHS) and its accessory parts.  Many home appliances (Washing machines, refrigerators) that fall out of the scope of old China RoHS will now be regulated by new China RoHS.

New Labeling Requirement

New China RoHS requires that manufacturers and importers of electrical and electronic products provide information about the impact of a product on environment and human health when the product is misused or disposed of in addition to the name and concentration of hazardous substances, the name of parts that contain hazardous substances, and whether a part or product can be recycled.

Flexible Certification Mechanism

Under the old China RoHS, products listed in the Key Administrative Catalog for the Pollution Control of Electronic Information Products (“Catalog”) will need to be tested by one of the approved labs in China and obtain CCC accreditation (China Compulsory Certification).

Under the new China RoHS, the Catalog will be renamed as Target Administrative Catalog for the Pollution Control of Electrical and Electronic Products. Various government bodies will set a timeline to prohibit the use of certain hazardous chemicals for the products listed in the Catalog. In the future, various certification mechanisms might be available. It is possible for companies to issue a self-declaration or ask independent third party to carry out the certification.

Reference

http://zfs.miit.gov.cn/n11293472/n11294912/n11296182/14644981.html

http://www.cirs-reach.com/news/Draft_Version_of_New_China_RoHS_Published.html

Orgalime seek to clarify RoHS2 scope questions

Orgalime document
New guidance document tries to resolve some very tricky issues but asks lots of complicated questions and overall just shows how complicated it is all going to be


Following Orgalime¡¦s recent participation in the RoHS2 FAQ Working Group meeting, our industry provides this outline of its common understanding of the scope provisions of Directive 2011/65/EU on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (¡§RoHS2¡¨).

The background to this paper is twofold:
1. It substantiates the initial understanding expressed in Orgalime¡¦s RoHS2 Guide of July 2011 and aims at particularly clarifying the background to the position of the affected industry
„h that the compliance obligations with the substance restrictions and CE marking obligations established by RoHS2 arise for manufacturers and importers of EEE, however not for installers,
„h that the definition of ¡§electrical and electronic equipment¡¨ cannot be interpreted as targeting anything and everything with the slightest connection to electrical or electronic,
„h that any interpretative criteria in the context of RoHS2, and article 2.4 in particular, requires full respect of the legal text of the Directive and an ¡§ex ante¡¨ approach
in the light of the alignment of the RoHS Directive with the New Legislative Framework (NLF) and in view of preparing for RoHS2 compliance and for effective market surveillance and enforcement.

2. The draft FAQs are in our view built on a number of significant flaws, misunderstandings and erroneous starting points, including for example:
„h accepting that Member States have different interpretations of the existing RoHS Directive, despite the fact that it represents a fully harmonised product legislation and the existence of a Commission Guidance Document on the existing RoHS Directive, and accepting that they plan to perpetuate those differences in the implementation of RoHS2.
„h charging responsibilities and obligations on market operators regardless of the New Legislative Framework and of the official text of RoHS 2 itself, or
„h proposing unclear interpretations of the New Legislative Framework, which result in conflicting answers and misleading indications.

Orgalime also want the EU to revise the RoHS2 FAQ

Background

There are some related RoHS2 stories in the Soldertec newsfeed
Background EU webpage re RoHS2 FAQ etc
Previous ORGALIME RoHS2 Guidance document

Green Data Exchange Content Surpasses 1 Million Parts

EMSNow: Q Point Technology has announced that content in Green Data Exchange (GDX) now texceeds 1 million items. GDX users have access to the entire repository of shared parts and assemblies. Data includes RoHS, REACH, full substance disclosure, and supporting documentation, such as test reports and declarations of conformance. The growth in content increases the availability of compliance information and further reduces the cost of compliance.

GDX serves as he compliance technical data file, allowing product manufacturers to maintain current compliance data for all their products and assemblies. As an online exchange, suppliers can access the system at no cost, and provide declaration data that can be shared with the supply chain. Maintaining information is dramatically simplified, as suppliers can update information in one place, and subsequently all customers automatically have access to updated data. GDX reduces the supplier burden of managing numerous individual information requests, including repeat requests for compliance updates.

Developing a compliance system for RoHS2

Scopus: Directive 2011/65/EU, Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS2), became European law on July 21, 2011. The law does not introduce new banned substances, but require manufacturers to follow specific obligations in Module A of decision 768/2008/EC, with a focus on technical documentation and product checks. The technical documentation package, as defined in Module A, must contain at least a general description of the product, design and manufacturing drawings of components and subassemblies, and describe the operation of the product. If the facility is building non-RoHS-compliant product or still using leaded solder, controls are required to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination. If dual, lead and lead-free, solder pastes are used, and the opportunity for cross-contamination is high, secondary green containers for lead-free are a good way to separate reused solder paste.

Printed Circuit Design and Fab/Circuits Assembly
Volume 29, Issue 2, February 2012, Pages 50-52
Developing a compliance system for RoHS2

Mazur, S.  

Benchmark Electronics, United States

Facing the Challenges of 2012 and Beyond

SMTONLINE: Do you know that many RoHS exemptions will be expiring within the next few years? RoHS, a European Union (EU) directive, restricts the use of specific hazardous substances found in electrical and electronic products. As of July 1, 2006, all applicable products in the EU market must pass RoHS compliance.

Six restricted substances are banned as hazardous to the environment and harmful to individuals during manufacturing and recycling. RoHS has specified maximum allowable levels for lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ethers. Several product categories are impacted under the directive including appliances, electronics, communication devices, lighting and power tools.

When the directive initiated, several product categories were exempted from compliance, such as medical devices, control and monitoring equipment, and batteries. For these industries, the proposed dates for inclusion into the RoHS directive are from 2012 through 2018.

“There are still a lot of manufacturers out there who are still using these banned substances in some of these exempted products,” commented Greig. “These manufacturers really need to start finding alternatives now or they will find themselves unable to manufacture or sell their products in Europe.”

Companies request new RoHS exemptions

Companies have submitted nearly 20 requests for new exemptions under the RoHS directive on toxic substances in electrical and electronic equipment. Most requests involve the use of lead or cadmium in medical devices and monitoring instruments.

These two product categories were previously excluded from RoHS. A consultation run by consultancy Öko-Institut seeks stakeholder views on 18 exemptions requested by COCIR, which speaks for the medical equipment sector and the Test and Measurement Association. The European Sign Federation also made one request.

"The exemptions submitted by COCIR are for technologies which will have no viable alternative by 2014," explained secretary general Nicole Denjoy. "In some cases alternatives may exist, but the cost to healthcare would be unbearable, without any obvious benefit to patients and hospitals." The consultation will close in March.

Parliament approves new WEEE directive

The revised directive on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) has cleared one of its final legislative hurdles before becoming law, following a key vote in the European Parliament's plenary assembly in Strasbourg on Thursday.

The new rules, which introduce higher WEEE collection targets in the EU, are expected to enter into force in the summer following their publication in the EU's official journal. But they have to be formally rubber-stamped by the Council of Ministers first.

Member states will have 18 months after it enters into force to transpose the directive into national law. The details are contained in a compromise text agreed in mid-December by negotiators from the European Parliament and member states.

Some stakeholders expressed mixed feelings about the new rules following Thursday's vote in the parliament, noting that improvements had been made while also voicing disappointment. Others were more critical, saying EU legislators had failed to give producers of electronic and electrical goods enough regulatory certainty.

"What was meant to be a minor change to improve the functioning of this directive and offering industry more certainty as turned into a revision exercise with areas such as the scope still as unclear as before", said Adrian Harris, head of industry group Orgalime.

Stéphane Arditi of green group EEB agrees certain areas of the text are unclear, particularly the definition of large-scale fixed installations, one of several product categories that are excluded from the WEEE directive's scope.

In a statement on Thursday, EEB was also "outraged" by an apparent loophole in annex VI of the law which allows defective electronic or electrical equipment for professional use to be sent to developing countries for testing. These countries are ill-equipped to deal with hazardous substances contained in these products, it says.

SME association UEAPME was concerned about a take-back obligation for small equipment such as electric toothbrushes. Retailers with more than 400 square metres of sales area will have to comply. UEAPME says this includes larger SMEs.

NGO umbrella body RREUSE deplored the failure of legislators to set separate 'prepare for reuse' targets in the revised directive. The European Commission has been asked to investigate the feasibility of introducing such targets at a later stage.

Follow Up:
European parliament press release plus reactions from small firms' association UEAPME, industry group Orgalime, trade association RREUSE and EEB

Electronics Goes Green 2012+

Abstracts should cover at least one of the following topics:

Legislative Developments
Life Cycle Engineering
Critical Resources and Sustainability
Green IT
New Technologies
Corporate Social Responsibility and Management

Event website

RoHS Recast consultant study

Bio Intelligence service and ERA commissioned to do RoHS2 recast impact assessments etc

December - list of impact assessments published

Project Website