Dear Technetters --
Although this is an inquiry that is more appropriate for Compliancenet, I
will respond on TechNet because the use of lead in the industry has
technical as well as environmental/regulatory considerations.
There is currently no pending legislative or regulatory proposals in the
U.S. that would ban or tax the use of lead in electronic devices. There
are, however, several pending in Europe (Sweden, Denmark, European Union)
and in Japan. All of these proposals would either ban, phase-out, or
discourage through voluntary means the use of lead in electronic devices
and automobiles by certain dates.
The IPC is watching these proposals closely because any international
restrictions may be adopted by OEMs in order to sell their products in
international markets. As a result, in the future, OEMs may be looking to
eliminate lead in their products. Due to the unique nature of tin/lead
solder and its importance to the electronics industry, there may be
exceptions for circuit boards and certain components; however, at this
date, it is unclear what is going to happen.
I hope this overview helps. Please call or e-mail me if you have
additional questions.
Regards
At 03:42 PM 5/20/98 -0400, you wrote:
>Hello,
>
>A quick question that I hope is appropriate for this forum.
>What is the status/future of manufacturing tin-lead reflowed boards? Is
>there any truth to the rumor that they are or will become illegal in
>the U.S. in order to reduce the consumption/handling of lead? Many shops
>will only make SMOBC boards but there are still companies that request
>reflowed boards because of either current carrying capacity concerns or
>other reasons. What is the EPA's stance on this?
>
>Christopher Rhodes wrote:
>>
>> The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Common Sense Initiative (CSI)
>> Electronics Subcommittee, to which several IPC members belong, is
exploring ideas
>> regarding integrating safety and health improvements with pollution
prevention and
>> other environmental performance goals.
>> Toward that end, the Subcommittee would like to pose several general
questions to the
>> industry:
>>
>> 1--What problems and issues exist with the present EPA and OSHA
environmental, health
>> and safety framework, and what impediments exist to hinder improved
performance in
>> either or both areas? For example, are there actions you might
undertake to improve
>> worker safety, but environmental regulations prevent you from doing so
(or vice
>> versa)?
>> 2--If a forum of health experts were convened (with NIOSH and OSHA),
what specific
>> topics might be included on the agenda that could allow for constructive
engagement
>> of all stakeholders?
>> 3--How can a rapidly changing industry most effectively be in
conformance with the
>> precautionary principle?
>>
>> FYI, this is the precautionary principle: "When as activity raises
threats of harm
>> to human health of the environment, precautionary measures should be
taken even if
>> some cause and effect relationships are not fully established
scientifically. In
>> this context, the proponent of an activity, rather than the public,
should bear the
>> burden of proof."
>>
>> Also FYI, the CSI is EPA's "cleaner, cheaper, smarter" project in
regulatory reform.
>>
>> Any comments, thoughts, examples or inquiries are quite welcome.
>>
>> Thank you.
>>
>> Christopher Rhodes
>> Director of Public Policy
>> IPC
>> 2215 Sanders Road
>> Northbrook IL 60062
>> 847/509-9700 x306
>> fax 509-9798
>> [log in to unmask]
>>
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>> For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or
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information.
>For technical support contact Hugo Scaramuzza at [log in to unmask] or
847-509-9700 ext.312
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>
>
Holly Evans
Director of Environmental and Safety Programs
IPC
1400 Eye St., N.W., Suite 540
Washington, D.C. 20005-2208
phone: 202-638-6219
fax: 202-638-0145
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
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################################################################
Please visit IPC web site (http://jefry.ipc.org/forum.htm) for additional information.
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