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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------Leadfee Mail List provided as a service by IPC using LISTSERV 1.8d To unsubscribe, send a message to [log in to unmask] with following text in the BODY (NOT the subject field): SIGNOFF Leadfree To temporarily stop/(start) delivery of Leadree for vacation breaks send: SET Leadfree NOMAIL/(MAIL) Search previous postings 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 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------