Industry Group Indicates Concerns with Expansion of RoHS

 

IPC, an international global trade association, representing the electronic interconnects industry including design and PCB manufacturing, has expressed concern over proposed expansion of the number of substances restricted by RoHS. Specifically, an IPC group meeting in Brussels reacted to a report by the Öko-Institut. The institute had been contracted by the European Union Commission to study the inclusion of additional hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment under the RoHS Directive. In a draft report to the commission, the Öko-Institut recommended the restriction of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), the flame retardant used to protect more than 80 percent of printed circuit boards and found to be safe by a comprehensive European Union risk assessment. In addition to TBBPA, Hexabromocylcododecanes (HBCDDs), several phthalate plasticizers and all organic compounds containing chlorine and bromine are included in the report as suggested bans.

 

Fern Abrams, IPC Director of Government Relations and Environmental Policy, characterized the draft recommendations as arbitrary and lacking a sound scientific basic and noted that their adoption would have a profound negative impact on IPC’s member industries. IPC is now developing a supply chain “white paper” in response to the proposed restrictions. Find more details at the IPC website.

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