Joe

Cynically, the choice of substances was made by putting the 92 natural
elements into a hat and drawing out the names of those that suited them!
Of course, could you imagine the outcry of banning GaAs? I don't know
the answers to your questions, but the commission formed for the purpose
was, I understand, formed of politicians and their advisors
(bureaucrats). Their deliberations were done without the aid of
qualified scientists, as I understand it. They have openly admitted that
no scientific risk assessment was done, on the grounds that it would
have been too expensive.

Brian

Joe Fjelstad wrote:
> I can't seem to find arsenic called out on the RoHS and WEEE documents.
> Am I simply missing it? It is definitely present in GaAs chips. I can
> think of technological reasons why it should not be there but am curious
> if there was some successful lobbying or pragmatic politicking that
> prevented it from making the hit list. All of this  begs the questions:
>  1) What exactly were the criteria used for selecting the metals and
> other materials on the hit list?  and 2) Who was on the selection
> committee?
>
> Anyone know the history or have any input or can point me in the right
> direction?
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Best to all,
> Joe