Prepare and manage your lead-free manufacturing processes
The "lead-free" legislation takes effect on July 1st 2006, and the implications for SMT manufacturers are far-reaching. There is very little time left for companies that do not already have plans in place or sufficient knowledge of the requirements.
X-AXYS can help you understand and plan for the implications of the forthcoming legislation prohibiting the use of lead and other substances.
As well as offering lead-free products, X-AXYS also provide training workshops and consultancy services to help companies prepare, and beyond 2006, effectively manage their lead-free processes.
- Responsibility
- The responsibilities of various parties involved, including designers, manufacturers and even distributors of 3rd-party products.
- Change
- Changes to components, materials and processes will be necessary, requiring a co-ordinated changeover from leaded to lead-free.
- Quality
- Quality and reliability issues must be understood when changing these components, materials and processes.
- Compliance
- The initial legislation outlines limited exemptions to certain industries, with future compliance dates specified. Everyone will eventually be required to comply and non-conformers will be penalised.
- Cost
- Finally, there are the cost implications for all stages of lead-free implementation, including the implementation itself, but also the extra costs associated with disposal, testing and materials.
- This directive prohibits the use of lead (and five other substances) in electronics beginning July 1, 2006.
- Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
- Establishes maximum recycling targets for electronic equipment and was amended in December 2003.