Hi JarekS (U-of-Chicago), Andrew, IPC LF Listservers,

Without reading Andrew's answers here is my off the top answers.

How did the electronic industry component and final product manufacturers
initially respond to RoHS? How did the response evolve over time?

Ans: Most did not challenge (or strive to inform) the EU/EC which is a bit
disturbing considering the EU's implied environment and life cycle goals.
The larger companies responded first with the smaller ones moving last. And
some are still waiting to be punished.

Was the response of manufacturers in exempt industries (medical, aerospace,
military) the same as their non-exempt counter parts?  How did it the
evolve?

Ans: No it was and will be different for a little while after the July roll
out and change. A Lag exists since the exempt industries, and particularly
their management, needed to better understand the full effects on their
supply chain.

How big of a role did industry associations (Example: IPC, NIST, EIA) play
in RoHS compliance?  How did they interact with customers, government,
component and final product manufacturers?

Ans: Well IPC did the best (since we are here), SMTA which you didn't list
also did great, and IEEE-CP&MT did great. NIST has been involved for awhile
and did and is doing good. EIA is also involved creating some standards.

RoHS brought quite a bit of uncertainty to the electronic industry.  How
did the industry respond to this uncertainty to bring order to the chaos?

Ans: It reacted. Interactive communications, industry meetings, seminars
and workshops by experienced professionals attacked the subject to add
value to the industry participants and the industry.

What was the customer response to RoHS induced changes taken by the
industry?

Ans: Verdict has not yet arrived, yet most are unhappy at the EU's non
scientific, non long term reliability directives.

What were the unforeseen impacts of RoHS on the electronic industry?  How
and when did they emerge?

Ans: Most did not understand how this change was so distruptive.
 It will probably destroy some companies.

What steps did final electronic product manufacturers take ensure that they
will be RoHS compliant?  What were the major obstacles in this process?
How did the supply chain change?

Ans: None thought of

What is different from before to after RoHS impact in the context of doing
business with outside companies?

Ans: More scruntiny for OEM self protection.

BTW in your questionaire you missed asking the Supply Chain for their
thoughts.

Yours in Engineering, Dave
YiEngr, MA/NY DDave

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