Einstein's theory of relativity is alive and well in the electronics industry. The action: The EU's version of the Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) is approaching clarity. The reaction: India's version of RoHS appears to be as clear as mud. The EU has officially adopted a revised RoHS which clarifies a number of issues pertaining to the measure and bans six substances from electronics products sold in Europe. (See: Revised RoHS Directive Adopted in EU.)
Under the original version, the scope of products that were required to comply with RoHS left a lot of room for interpretation. The revision tightens those loopholes. Additionally, the EU revision specifies that cables and various attachments to electrical and electronics equipment must also comply with the law, which bans substances such as lead, mercury, and cadmium from electronics products sold in the EU.
India's version, which is moving closer toward its May 2012 implementation, limits the use of 20 substances from electronics products sold in India. Global distributor element14 , which provides updates and analysis of global environmental legislation, has posted a summary of India's RoHS on its Website. According to element14, the proposals on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) disposal:
do not say whether these substances are restricted or that manufacturers should attempt to avoid them
do not state whether the threshold values refer to the concentrations in the finished product, in homogeneous materials or something else
provide no exemptions or any mechanism for requesting exemptions
lack clarity of limits.
Inconsistencies among global environmental laws are an ongoing concern in the electronics industry, which has had to greatly modify is processes and materials to meet RoHS requirements. The ban of lead from solders used in manufacturing has been particularly irksome because non-leaded substitutes don't perform as well as leaded.
Some of the next set of challenges noted by element14: India's proposal requires that medical equipment adhere to the ban, while the EU version currently does not. India's RoHS also bans substances (including some flame retardants) that have no viable alternatives currently available.
Similar to the EU legislation, India will require manufacturers and importers to supply only “RoHS-compliant” products and to provide written documentation supporting compliance. This has also been an ongoing struggle in the electronics supply chain -- documenting compliance often requires the disclosure of information that component makers regard as proprietary.
There's no question that electronics manufacturers will adhere to these measures. The industry has, with some difficulty, complied with the EU's RoHS. Within the past two years, China has passed its version of RoHS; now, so has India. The EU is an important but relatively small market for electronics manufacturers. China and India, on the other hand, are considered the two largest markets for electronics products in the world.
Either electronics manufacturers come up with new ways to build their products and keep users safe, or a race to develop new flame retardants is on.
do not say whether these substances are restricted or that manufacturers should attempt to avoid them
do not state whether the threshold values refer to the concentrations in the finished product, in homogeneous materials or something else
provide no exemptions or any mechanism for requesting exemptions
lack clarity of limits.
"
This is typical of what happens when Bueracrats and Parliamentarians who have no clue of what it takes to run an Industry/company are in charge of the Law making process.
Its really sad it has to come down to this,India has the potential to be a thriving Hub not just for Exports but also for domestic consumption of all manner of Electronic Goods.This just makes it that much harder for Industry there to compete with the rest of the world.
I agree with Jay, that there should be an common international standard regarding the scope and applicability of ROHS.
Typically in third world countires (oops developing countries ), this directly leads to corruption. tenders are set in such a way that only few can participate in supplies or in development or production of any electronic or non electronic products.
Products costing can go haywire if a manufacturer has to meet different standards for different countries.
It would seem so much easier if there was a regulating body to establish global rules, rather than individual countries making certain rules based on their needs or wants. Multiple rules for various markets around the world means companies need to make products that fit into various regulations, or make various products. Either way it could be rather expensive for these companies to continue doing business.
People in India already have Laws pertaining to RoHS. The main problem arises when they need to choose Lead free soldering.There are a few risks being identified, It requires high temperature that is huge use of energy which will lead to Air pollution, acid rains, global warming etc when compared to lead soldering.
Barbara, in EU the RoHS laws are in force and they are amending it according to the requirements. I think India still didn’t have any such laws or regulations in force. They are planning to introduce a similar bill next year and drafting is under the consideration of government authorities. As per the details available to public (internet/news paper), it’s not updated or at par with any of the EU/ US law or standards. More over some of the restricted items have no alternate also, so I think before its formulating as a bill, it has to put for public or open debate. Rules and regulations are for citizen’s welfare and benefits, but it won’t be harmful for industrial growth also.
Shortest answer--there is no single standards body overseeing global environmental regulations, such as the IEEE does in engineering or the IPC in board design and connectivity. Minus that, every country has its own priorities and drafts its own legislation. The electronics industry could conceivably form such a body, but would still have to get every country to agree to a standard once it's set.
"The ban of lead from solders used in manufacturing has been particularly irksome because non-leaded substitutes don't perform as well as leaded"
WemustnoticeagainandinformthereadershowmuchdangerousmaterialtheLeadisforthehumanbody. "Once lead gets into your body, it stays there for a long time. It builds up over time even if you're exposed to only small amounts of it. As lead builds up in your body, it can damage your brain, kidneys, nerves and blood cells."
The non-leaded substitutes dont perform as well as leaded only if you are using the same equipment. Non-leaded solders need higher temperatures for the soldering process.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
To save this item to your list of favorite EBN content so you can find it later in your Profile page, click the "Save It" button next to the item.
If you found this interesting or useful, please use the links to the services below to share it with other readers. You will need a free account with each service to share an item via that service.
Tweet This