Frequently Asked Questions regarding lead free printed circuit boards
What effort in eliminating lead containing solders is coming from Europe?
The European Union will ban lead in electrical and electronic applications effective July 1, 2006. The basis for this is two closely related Directives: WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances). These Directives are quite lengthy and complex, but their intention however is simple: to promote recycling and re-use of materials on the one hand, and to prevent the use of substances considered hazardous to health or the environment on the other. The RoHS is a European wide directive, which will be uniformly enacted and enforced throughout the EU by each member Government - it simply prohibits specified chemicals. Chemicals prohibited in addition to lead are mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE). The situation with the WEEE directive is a little more complex, but basically involves the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment.
The key date is July 1 2006. From that point forward, any electrical or electronic goods (subject to some limited exceptions) “placed on the market” in the EU cannot contain materials mentioned in the directives, including lead. This therefore includes products made outside the EU but sold within it.
Will U.S. electronics manufacturers go lead-free, and if so, when?
U.S. electronics manufacturers who supply products for European countries will need to be lead-free by July 1, 2006. It is doubtful that U.S. companies supplying the global marketplace will maintain one tin-lead production line for the U.S. market and one lead-free for the European market. Competitive pressure to produce “green” products additionally may fuel the conversion to lead-free. Most companies will begin by a controlled phase in; first producing a lower volume product with lead-free solder and gradually converting other product lines to lead-free after gaining manufacturing experience.
- NEW for 2007 -
“ Low cost Quickturn Prototypes from the industry leader in quality”
CGI Circuits announces its new quick turn process for quality prototype printed circuit boards.
Environmental Awareness - CGI Circuits maintains a policy of complete compliance with applicable local, state and federal environmental regulations. Our new facility has many improvements to ensure compliance with environmental regulations for many years to come.
· 24 hour service available · No minimum lot charges · 1 layer to 8 layers · E-test available · No tooling costs · Wider range of options · No sacrifice for quality · Credit cards accepted · UL and ISO Registered · All jobs reviewed by qualified engineers
