Productronica rings bell for the last round of transitions to lead (Pb)-free
24 August 2005
News
When Productronica closes its gates on 18 November, 2005, the industry will only have exactly 225 days to make the permanent transition to lead-free electronics products and production processes.
This is because electronic and electrical devices that are put on the market in the European Union (EU) on 1 July 2006 or thereafter, will be subject to the stipulations of the EU's RoHS directive for the restriction of hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (also known as the 'lead-free directive') and the WEEE directive on waste from electrical and electronic equipment.
These directives forbid the use of lead, mercury and hexavalent chrome as well as the flame-retardant polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in electrical and electronic equipment. All products will have to be manufactured using lead-free joining technology - at the accustomed levels of quality and reliability and with the least possible increase in cost.
Consequently, the transition to lead-free electronics is having a considerable effect on the entire value chain - from product design and development to purchasing and logistics, and from electronics manufacturing and quality assurance all the way to product recycling. For companies that have not yet completely transitioned their manufacturing and products to make them RoHS/WEEE compatible, the Productronica 2005 trade show represents a unique 'last chance,' so to speak, to gain first-hand information in a selective and concentrated manner on the status of lead-free technology and on the latest products and processes.
In addition to the exhibitors at Productronica 2005 presenting ultramodern lead-free solutions for working materials and production equipment, there will be lead-free forums such as: Green Day; Lead-Free Production Line; and Lead-Free Lectures.
Productronica will be held from 15-18 November 2005 on the grounds of the New Munich Trade Fair Center in Germany.
For more information contact SA German Chamber of Commerce & Industry, +27 (0)11 486 2775, [email protected]
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