Hi Ken: To answer your questions:
1. As David said FR-4 laminate does not contain either of these flame
retardant chemicals however they can be found in other polymers used in
electronics.

2. The EU TAC group is still working on the definition of "total weight" and
what will be the smallest "part" of an electronic unit. Expect further
clarification in February 2005.

	
Regards
	
Michael Barmuta
	
Staff Engineer
	
Fluke Corp.
	
Everett WA
	
425-446-6076
-----Original Message-----
From: TechNet [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Bloomquist, Ken
Sent: Thursday, June 10, 2004 6:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [TN] A Bromine/EU Question


Good morning Technetters,

One of our customers has asked the following question:
**********************************************************
As you already probably know, the European Directive 2003/11/CE of the 6th
of February 2003 will be applicable in Germany on the 30th of June 2004 and
within the whole European Union as from the 15th of August 2004. 

This Directive aims at banning the marketing and use, within the European
Union, of the following hazardous substances when accounting for more than
0.1% of the total weight of the product and/or any part thereof:

- PENTABROMODIPHENYL ETHER (CAS N° 32534-81-9)
- OCTABROMODIPHENYL ETHER (CAS N° 32536-52-0)

These substances are currently used as fire retardants to provide
appropriate fire resistance and self extinguishing properties to the
products in which they are incorporated.
**********************************************************

I have two questions for you chemical guys;
 
1. Does typical FR4 laminate contain these chemicals in the amount they talk
about?

2. What the heck do they mean by "total weight of the product and/or any
part thereof"? What do they consider a "part thereof"? (subassembly,
component, bare board)?

Thanks in advance for any information provided.

KennyB

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