The board house needs to re-read the RoHS directive.  TBBPA the primary
flame retardant used in FR-4 laminate is not a targeted material.  So
unless the laminator is using some other flame retardant boards should
be compliant.

There is a lot of misinformation out there as companies that have
developed alternatives try and find ways to get them sold.

There is some pressure to change, but it isn't from RoHS.  It is from
WEEE that has a requirement stating that electronics that contain any
brominated flame retardants need to be disassembled and separated for
recycling.  The companies that would rather grind up the whole product
instead of disassembling show a demand for alternative materials.

Only a guess on UL, but I would assume that new recognition would be
required as this is a fundamental materials change.

Best regards,
Dave


David W. Bergman, CAE
Vice President, Standards, Technology and International Relations
IPC
3000 Lakeside Drive # 309S
Bannockburn, IL 60015
Phone 847-597-2840 Fax 847-615-5640
Mobile 847-867-1388
Main 847-615-7100
email [log in to unmask]      www.ipc.org

-----Original Message-----
From: DesignerCouncil [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Tom
Parkinson
Sent: Thursday, May 26, 2005 2:43 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [DC] RoHS WEEE & FR4

I just got a small smattering of information from my board supplier and
was wondering if anyone out there can elaborate.

We were discussing lead free when the board house said the major
manufacturers of FR4 use Halogen as the flame retardant material
(94-V-0) - thus making the boards in possible violation of ROHAS....

They make another FR4 material without halogen, but the costs is approx
30% more...

Can anyone fill in more information?

This also brought up the question, if the customer has been using the
regular FR4, and his product is UL approved, if the board is changed to
a different FR4 - will it need a new UL inspection?

Thanks

Tom Parkinson
Quality System Manager - CIT
WinTronics, Inc.
Phone: 724-981-5770 - extension 235

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