White paper clarifies objections to proposed RoHS expansion

26 November 2008 News

The IPC has announced the release of a new white paper, ‘The electronic interconnection industry supply chain’s response to the Öko-Institut recommendations for proposed revisions to the RoHS directive’.

The white paper is the culmination of presentations made during an IPC workshop on 18 June in Brussels. Industry leaders, representing key segments of the electronics supply chain, came together at the workshop to detail industry concerns with the Öko-Institut report on the proposed expansion of RoHS substance restrictions.

As an example, in their draft report to the European Commission, the Öko-Institut recommended the restriction of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), the flame retardant used to protect more than 80% of printed circuit boards, despite the fact that TBBPA was found to be safe by a comprehensive European Union (EU) risk assessment. In addition to TBBPA, Hexabromocylcododecanes (HBCDDs), several phthalate plasticisers, and all organic compounds containing chlorine and bromine, are identified in the report as suggested bans.

“The white paper has a long title for what is essentially a point by point summary of technical issues not considered by the Öko-Institut in their report,” explained Fern Abrams, IPC’s director of government relations and environmental policy. “It is important that the commissioners understand the Öko-Institut recommendations are arbitrary, lack a sound scientific basis and would have a significant negative impact on our members and the industry.”

For more information visit www.ipc.org/EHS

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