Download pdf AB Connectors Ltd Statement on RoHS EU Directive 2002/95/EC

A version of the following statement is currently under review by the majority of the UK interconnect industry. Once agreement has been reached on the wording of this statement our individual company statement will be replaced by a joint interconnect industry statement.

AB Connectors Ltd Statement on RoHS EU Directive 2002/95/EC

To whom it may concern.

This is the AB Connectors Ltd policy and approach to implementing ‘EU Directive 2002/95/EC on the restrictions and use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment dated 27 January 2003.

 EU Directive requirement.

The EU directive requires the reduction in waste management problems linked to specified heavy metals and flame retardants and requires that from 1st July 2006 new electrical and electronic equipment falling under categories 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 10 as set out in Annex 1A to Directive 2002/96/ EC (WEEE Directive) restricts the use of Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) or Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) with the exception of those items listed as exempted in the annex to Directive 2002/95/EC. The directive does state permitted quantities and also allows additional specific exclusions, for example; equipment used for military, aerospace, some forms of mass transportation, for medical purposes, and for monitoring and control instrumentation.

EU Directive – present status

The statements below are based on the present wording and exemptions listed in the RoHS EU directive 2002/95/EC. This may materially change as further exemptions are added at a later date.

Policy Statement

We are committed to reducing or eliminating both hazardous and ozone depleting substances, using substitutes as and when they become available to the industry.

Comments on the specific materials stated in EU Directive 2002/95/EC (present revision).

•  Lead – The use of all materials containing lead & lead applications is subject to ongoing investigation by the interconnect industry across its product ranges. Some customers, primarily in the Aerospace markets, have requested to continue the use of solders containing lead after 1st July 1 2006 for specific products which are outside the scope of the RoHS directive on the grounds of proven reliability.
•  Mercury – We do not use mercury in the construction of our product ranges or knowingly introduce any Mercury content.
• Cadmium – The Cadmium plating finishes applied to certain metal components are exempt from the RoHS Directive under paragraph 8 of annex to EU Directive 2002/95/EC, i.e. Cadmium Plating of metal components.
  Alternative plating finishes to Cadmium have been available for a number of years, typical products being Nickel, & alternative materials such as Stainless Steel and Nickel alloy Bronze.
  Special Note - Cadmium
  As part of the annex to EU Directive 2002/95/EC, Cadmium plating is specifically banned for use in those applications stated in Directive 91/338/EEC (amending Directive 76/769/EEC). Responsibility rests with the purchaser / customer to ensure that where Cadmium plated components are purchased, that these are not used in contravention to E.U. Directive 91/338/EEC.
• Hexavalent Chromium
  Hexavalent Chromium in conjunction with other chemicals is used to produce the black or ‘olive drab’ finish generally required for the corrosion resistance (salt spray endurance), colouring and the shell conductivity requirements for military and for high reliability applications using Cadmium & alternative platings. Hexavalent Chrome is also used during the Passivation of Stainless steel components
•  Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB) - Not knowingly added or used.
•  Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE) - Not knowingly added or used

Please note:
The following statement is copied from the DTI website on RoHS Regulations - Government Guide Lines, which must be addressed with this joint Company statement.

Quote:

“This Guide is intended to assist those placing electrical and electronic equipment on the UK market, to understand the application of The Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2005 (referered to hereafter as the RoHS Regulations).

The Regulations themselves should always be read and understood, as they constitute law. This guide is informative, but has no legal authority.

You should refer to the Regulations themselves for a full statement of the legal requirement and in the case of any doubt take independent advice, including your own legal advice. The Regulations may be revised from time to time, so users should take care to keep themselves informed. In regards of this information may be obtained from the DTI’s Sustainable Development Directorate.”