Parts of British industry seriously underestimate the implications of lead-free ruling

12 February 2003 News

ERA Technology recently surveyed the state of readiness of the UK electronics industry for the transition from traditional tin/lead to alternative lead-free solders.

The EU is banning the sale of products containing lead-based solders from 1 July 2006. Although seemingly a long way off, ERA Technology says there are no existing satisfactory lead-free solders that could be used as a straight replacement. This means manufacturing techniques will have to be adapted, and in some cases, different components used.

A preliminary survey has already been undertaken by ERA to estimate the depth of the problem. This seems to indicate that whilst most companies contacted had at least started thinking about the subject, ERA says that most companies in one sector have not started any work at all. This sector comprises smaller PCB manufacturers, which are typically used by other smaller companies. A widespread reaction so far amongst those companies, says ERA, has been that they will only start thinking about the issue when their customers ask for lead-free products.

ERA Technology will use the results of the project to promulgate best practice, highlight future problems, identify training needs and help individual companies meet the EU deadline. ERA will disseminate results of the programme through seminars, conferences and the ERA website www.era.co.uk.

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