RoHS (Restriction of Use of Hazardous Substances) * Initially issued in 2003 by the European Commission. * Directs the European Union to enact the Hazardous Substance ban by July 1, 2006 * Max allowed concentrations of the materials: Cadmium 0.01% (100 ppm) Lead 0.1% (1000 ppm) Mercury 0.1% (1000 ppm) Hex Chrome 0.1% (1000 ppm) PBB 0.1% PBDE 0.1% Lead is used as a stabilizer in most electroless nickel baths formulations. The concentrations of lead are well below the maximum allowable concentrations, in the bath or in the deposit. When RoHS are enacted the supplier will be restricted from intentionally adding lead to his formulation even if it is below the specified limits. Suppliers are well aware of the approaching date. Most suppliers already have lead free formulations available. Check with your individual supplier, to determine when and if you need to make the change. Best regards George Milad [log in to unmask] National Accounts Manager for Technology Uyemura International Corporation Technical Center 240 Town LIne Rd Southington CT 06489 (516) 901 3874 (mobile) (860) 793-4011 (office) (860) 793-4020 (fax) --------------------------------------------------- Technet Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8e To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Technet To temporarily halt or (re-start) delivery of Technet send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet NOMAIL or (MAIL) To receive ONE mailing per day of all the posts: send e-mail to [log in to unmask]: SET Technet Digest Search the archives of previous posts at: http://listserv.ipc.org/archives Please visit IPC web site http://www.ipc.org/contentpage.asp?Pageid=4.3.16 for additional information, or contact Keach Sasamori at [log in to unmask] or 847-615-7100 ext.2815 -----------------------------------------------------