Batten & Allen

Lead-Free Plating

Several reasons for examining alternatives to tin/lead solder plating have recently emerged. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (ROHS) Directive (2002/95/EC) was announced on January 27th, 2003, and this will apply throughout the European Union. The Directive aims to protect human health and the environment by restricting the use of certain hazardous substances in new equipment. It is also intended to complement Directive 2002/96/EC on the collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

Key Elements of Directive 2002/95/EC

• From July 1st, 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment will have restrictions on the content of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls or polybrominated diphenyl ethers.
• Certain applications will be exempt. Please refer to the directive for more information.

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