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Welcome to Ellenby Technologies Newsletter. We
hope you will find this edition informative and
useful. We
are a diverse product development and
manufacturing company, specializing in custom designed
Electronic Controllers,
Printed Circuit Boards and Cables/Harnesses
addressing the specific market needs of OEMs since
1988.
WHAT is RoHS? Restricition of
Hazardous Substances Elimination of lead, and other hazardous substances, from
electronic assemblies is already underway in Europe and Asia. Most likely
it will be universal throughout
the electronics industry within the next 2 to 3 years. Currently there are
RoHS directives in China, Korea, Europe and California. We will provide an overview of each but this Newsletter
will focus on Europe and California. China RoHS - Phase 1 implemented March 1, 2007
requires products be labeled to identify 6 hazardous substances; Phase 2
requires certification and testing of products in
China by approved labs. This only applies to imports into China not
exports. Korea is similar. EU RoHS - Implemented July 2006 bans lead, mercury
and other substances from products shipped to European Union in ten
equipment categories. California RoHS - Effective January 1, 2007 and is
based generally on EU directive but more limited in scope. Current Bill in
State Senate that would make all electrical and
electronic categories covered by EU RoHS effective in California January
1, 2010. RoHS has many pros and cons but the bottom line is it's
here to stay. All RoHS is still in the state of changing rules and
regulations. There are some rumblings of a US RoHS as
opposed to patchwork of State Green
Laws.
WHO is Affected? RoHS concerns practically all industry sectors. Even if
you don't do business in China, Korea or Europe you may have to comply
with California. Components significantly affected within a vending
machine, kiosk or other electronic devices, include Printed Circuit Boards
(PCB) and Harnesses/Cables. All components such as
capacitors and resistors are affected. Existing PCBs may require
significant redesign even though functionality has remained intact.
Compliance with RoHS should also be carefully be
considered in design of future products and PCBs.
This newsletter is for information purposes and should not be considered legal advice. Actual standards should be reviewed for business, legal and compliance purposes. |
RoHS and You
!