Thank you for everyones response. I believe I will be obtaining a copy of the WEEE directive.
This last note is especially intertesting, and this whole issue (if lead is banned from use in electronics) poses a big problem for the Telecommunications Industry: Tin, Zinc, & Cadmium are all know to "whisker". As stated in Bellcore TR-NWT-000078, section 3.3.3 "Tin, zinc, or cadmium shall not be used within or close to electrical circuits where filamentary metallic (whisker) growth, or loose whiskers from such growth, could cause low resistance connections resulting in circuit malfunctions." The Tin industry is foolish to try to ban Lead, as Lead seems to inhibit this whisker growth. Consequently, Bellcore says: "...Tin finishes containing less than 2% lead shall be subjected to an acceptable reflow procedure and verification, or to an alternative such as an annealing process shall be applied to drawn tinned copper wire, and shall meet specified requirements." We have found lead-free solders that claim compliance to Bellcore requirements, but they fail at this point. Also, they contain Silver, which tends to migrate. This migration can cause surface resistivity problems on boards. Consequently Silver is also "outlawed" by Bellcore: "Silver containing materials shall not be used where there is a possibility of Silver migration that could cause circuit malfunction, especially where these materials are separated by or associated with materials that can absorb moisture." (TR-NWT-000078 section 3.2.4) So what are we to do? Lead based solders are the only ones that seem to have been proven reliable in Long-Life Telecommunications equipment. Greenpeace types need to realize that the reliability of modern communications networks can have a dramatic impact on public safety? Having a reliable communications network is as important as Lead poisoning, is it not? After all, I for one like to know that "911" works. Anyway, it seems that we are stuck with Lead. Any suggestions as to what the telecom industry can do to fight against banning lead? I am all for disclosure of hazardous materials so that they can be properly disposed of...I believe most in industry are. But... Any comments? Thanks! Mel Pedersen Midcom, Inc. Homologations Engineer Phone: (605) 882-8535 [email protected] Fax: (605) 882-8633 -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 9:24 AM To: [email protected] Subject: RE: Lead Banned in Europe & Japan? A little research on the Internet showed that the proposal comes from a tin manufacturers association. I cannot give you a direct sourse at the moment, but it was not difficult to find. The association's goal is to replace lead with tin. Leo Simon -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, January 18, 2000 9:39 AM To: [email protected]; [email protected] Subject: RE: Lead Banned in Europe & Japan? Mel, It would be interesting to know who your Customer is that is making this request. We have had similar requests for material content, including lead, specifically in the components we manufacture. You have already heard from people concerning the WEEE Directive in Europe. As for Japan, there is no ban on lead but a law regarding disposal of waste into landfills. Some Japanese manufacturers are imposing lead elimination requirements on their suppliers, mostly component suppliers, to comply with this landfill law. Regards, +=================================================================+ |Ronald R. Wellman |Voice : 408-345-8229 | |Agilent Technologies |FAX : 408-345-8630 | |5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., |E-Mail: [email protected]| |Mailstop 51L-SQ |WWW : http://www.agilent.com | |Santa Clara, California 95052 USA| | +=================================================================+ | "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age | | eighteen." - Albert Einstein | +=================================================================+ -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Monday, January 17, 2000 3:46 PM To: [email protected] Subject: FW: Lead Banned in Europe & Japan? Hello: I periodically recieve inquiries on the quanitity of various materials (including Lead) in our product. A customer of ours recently claimed that Lead has been banned in electronics in Europe & Japan. They are asking what we are doing about this. Is there any basis in truth for this? Thanks Mel Pedersen Midcom, Inc. 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