RoHS & Lead-free

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RoHS & Lead-free

Due to environmental concerns, the need for lead-free solutions in printed circuit boars and PCB assembly, and system is receiving increasing attention within electronics industries. MADPCB is committed to working with our customers to be able to offer products which meet their specific needs while complying with RoHS regulations, which are designed to limit or eliminate substances that are dangerous to the environment and to people. Inadequately treated e-waste implies environmental and health risks.

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances, and impacts the entire electronics industry and many electrical products as well. RoHS restricts the use of the following ten substances.

 

Original 6 substances (2011/65/EU):

 

  • Lead (Pb): <1000ppm
  • Mercury (Hg): <1000ppm
  • Cadmium (Cd): <100ppm
  • Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+): <1000ppm
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB): <1000ppm
  • Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE): <1000ppm

 

Additional 4 substances -RoHS 3((EU) 2015/863):

 

  • Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): <1000ppm
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): <1000ppm
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): <1000ppm
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): <1000ppm

Extention exemption: Of note is that medical devices have a two-year extension to meet RoHS 3 compliance:

“The restriction of DEHP, BBP, DBP and DIBP shall apply to medical devices, including in vitro medical devices, and monitoring and control instruments, including industrial monitoring and control instruments, from 22 July 2021.”

The RoHS directive is also referred to as Lead-free directive was initiated to restrict the pollution of the environment by toxic electronic and electric waste (e-waste). Electronic scrap around the globe accounts for millions of tons every year. Before the imposing of RoHS directives, lead used in the solder compromised a major part of this e-waste. Due to lack of correct processes for handling e-waste, bulk of this material ended up in landfills. Due to acidic rainfall, the lead was absorbed, and got mixed with ground water. The use of this contaminated water by humans and animals lead to many health problems. Hence, it became necessary to remove lead from the PCB fabrication process and circuit board assembly process.

RoHS is closely associated with Waste Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). While RoHS controls the utilization of hazardous chemicals in electrical and electronic equipment, the WEEE monitors the disposal of these products. Nowadays in the PCB industry, even the laminates and electronic components meet the RoHS compliance.

 

How to Change Your PCB and Assembly to Be RoHS and Lead-free Compliant?

 

Before the implementation of the RoHS directives, tin-lead solder was widely used in the electronic industries since tin with lead provided the perfect bonding. And it was used as a surface finish (HASL with lead) to protect the copper from corrosion. The imposing of RoHS directives across the EU, forced PCB manufacturers and PCB assemblers to change the traditional manufacturing processes, raw materials, components and equipment.

Today, the electronic industry uses lead free solder alloys that complies with the RoHS directives. The implementation of the directive has also led to the use specific lead-free components and PCB surface finishes. While, we always encounter some customer require tin-lead PCB and assembly processes. Overall, these changes have resulted in less e-waste, as well as a reduction in the contamination of ground water.

In your next project, do not forget to confirm with the PCB manufacturers or assembly service provider whether they can provide lead-free and RoHS compliant manufacturing. RoHS compliance means acting in full accordance with RoHS regulations. This will help you comply with the RoHS directives for your electronic products, which helps you get better sales in afterwards marketing.

 

RoHS Declaration (COC)

 

We certify that all components and all homogeneous subcomponents manufactured by MADPCB are in compliance with the directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 8 June 2011 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS Directive), amended by Directive (EU) 2015/863.

According to supplier’s information we certify the non-use of:

  • Lead (Pb)
  • Mercury (Hg)
  • Cadmium (Cd)
  • Hexavalent chromium (Cr6+)
  • Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
  • Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDE)

 

Additional 4 substances ((EU) 2015/863):

  • Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP): <1000ppm
  • Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP): <1000ppm
  • Dibutyl phthalate (DBP): <1000ppm
  • Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP): <1000ppm

 

We deem that our products are also compliant with the China RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances), officially known as Administrative Measure on the Control of Pollution Caused by Electronic Information Products, which is a Chinse government regulation to control certain materials, including lead.

 

We certify the non-use of:

  • Ozone depleting substances (excluding HCFC) according to the Montreal Protocol
  • Polychloro-napthalene
  • Poly-vinyl chloride (PVC), its mixtures, its copolymers
  • Halogenated organic compounds as PCB, PBE, polychloro-naphtalene, Deca-BDE

 

A signed RoHS of Certificate of Compliance (COC) can be provided when PCB boards, assemblies and other electronics are manufactured at MADPCB.