Regulation of Lead (Pb)

Lead has been a staple for use in many and varied trades for centuries. With modern concerns over serious health issues regarding absorption of various materials by children especially, severe regulatory laws had to follow. In the 1970s lead was banned from gasoline and paint, two major sources. However the continued use in solder for electronics and plumbing remains a problem. Soon, lead will be banned entirely from electronics. Currently, RoHS allows trace levels, at .1%, or 1000ppm. When you consider that until recently, solder was 50% lead, this is virtually zero already.
European Union regulation (RoHS) and California Prop. 65 currently restrict the use of lead, and others are sure to follow this benchmark. Suppliers are scrambling to provide alternatives, such as conductive adhesives.

What liability could I face if I do not implement Lead Testing?

Think of the following scenario: A trusted supplier of solder certifies to you, the circuit board manufacturer, that his product meets or exceeds all requirements. You file the certificate, produce a million boards, and ship them out to the PC maker. If they are found to be in violation, who pays? This is why it is incumbent on you to have an independent lab verify that all your supplies are safe using random RoHS screening services, and also that your final product does not violate the restrictions.
The RoHS guidelines are unclear about the levels of "proof" needed, and are relying on a policy of "self-declaration". If your product does not pass muster, it would be pulled from the market.

I already use Lead Testing for my products.

Do you import raw materials from countries not covered by regulation? Subassemblies? If so, you will definitely need to employ random testing to ensure compliance for your end product.

Aren't there easy ways to do Lead Testing?

Yes, there are other methods, such as the simple use of swabs. However laboratory testing, with documented results from an independent lab, are the most reliable and effective way to provide you with a paper trail to use as proof of compliance with regulations. XRF technology, used in our labs, may detect traces that a mere swab will not, and is cheap insurance against lawsuits by your end users or exporters.

Where can I obtain RoHS services?

Electri-Lab Screening Services is offering its state-of-the-art XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy) screening lab & certified technical staff to companies needing technical expertise with RoHS compliance (7/1/2006). Our RoHS screening services are thorough, affordable and available to anyone needing time sensitive RoHS compliance testing.

RoHS restrictions we sample include: Cadmium, Lead, Mercury, Hexavalent Chromium, Polybrominated Biphenyl (PBB) & Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether. (PBDE)

Screening Process: Samples are screened for elemental and structural composition using the latest XRF technology process. Registered readings for each screened element are compared to RoHS compliance tolerances and confidential results reported to you in a detailed results document.

Sample Submission: Samples should be at the raw material stage for best screening results. Call us with your specific RoHS sample screening requests and we will advise you of what we need to accurately screen your sample. Samples should have a uniform composition, examples are: solders, coatings, resins, or plating materials used in the manufacture of parts or components.

CONTACT US FOR COMPLETE DETAILS:
Electri-Cord Manufacturing Co. 312 East Main Street P. O. Box 167 Westfield, PA 16950-0167	David Hunt, Quality Manager Phone 814-367-2265 FAX 2314 hunt@electri-cord.com www.electri-cord.com	© 2006 Electri-Lab is a division of