Jun 26 2009 2:45PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (4) |
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On May 21, 2009, the Ministry of Environment Protection of China launched the closed inter-ministries consultation on the proposed amendments to the Measures on the Environmental Control of New Chemical Substances … China REACH.

The most significant changes in the proposed measures are as follows:
- A risk management concept for new chemicals in the Chinese chemical control system covering hazard and exposure;
- Chemicals would be classified into three categories: general chemicals, hazardous chemicals, and chemicals of environmental concern;
- Basics of notification and the registration process for new chemicals would remain the same as it was. However, detailed "general notification" would be required for new chemicals depending on tonnage (1, 10, 100, and 1,000 tons) of the chemicals imported or produced. The principle of notificati...Read More

Jun 19 2009 10:36AM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (7) |
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The Environmental Design of Electrical Equipment Act (EDEE, bill HR2420) has recently been put before the US House of Representatives as a proposed amendment to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

The scope seems to be more limited than that of EU ROHS (European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directive and refers to products that are “directly used to facilitate the transmission, distribution, or control of electricity, or that use electrical power for arc welding, lighting, signalling protection, and communication, or medical imaging, or electrical motors and generators.”

The substance restrictions and maximum permitted concentration values, within homogeneous materials, are the same as EU ROHS, although bill HR2420 does stipulate certain exemptions s...Read More

May 27 2009 3:43PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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The withdrawal of the ROHS exemption 9a, namely “DecaBDE in polymeric applications” last year, is a subject of much discussion, and I still receive many questions on the matter some 10 months after the event (July 1, 2008).

DecaBDE was investigated intensively for more than 10 years and it is safe to say that there is more scientific data for this substance than any other alternative flame retardant. The problem is that DecaBDE was one of the most widely used flame retardants (FRs) in electrical and electronic equipment, but manufacturers and their component suppliers would not know which FRs are used in any parts they buy.

If you buy a connector, for example, the data sheet will not specify which FR is used. Distributors will not know, and quite often, the parts manufacturer will not know. Plastics supply chains can be quite long, often originating in ...Read More

May 8 2009 3:14PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (0) |
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North American companies exporting batteries into Europe need to be aware not only of substance restrictions, but also a raft of labelling and information requirements.

In addition to mercury, which has been restricted for some time (maximum 0.0005% by weight of the battery, other than button cells where a maximum of 2% by weight is permitted), cadmium is now also restricted. A maximum of 0.002% by weight of the battery is permitted, but with three exemptions. These are emergency and alarm systems, including lighting, medical equipment, and cordless power tools, although the latter will be reviewed by September 2010.

Labelling requirements include the crossed out wheelie bin and the “Hg” and “Cd” symbol below this, where the battery contains more than the permitted values. While lead is not restricted, “Pb” needs to be shown whe...Read More

Apr 28 2009 3:47PM | Permalink | Email this | Comments (1) |
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To all those who have called me in the last few months, asking when EDN's Top North American electronic components distributors list would be out: It's here and it is something to brag about!

There's no way around the fact that 2008 was a hard year on sales, much thanks to Q4. But among the top 25 distributors on our list, 11 reported double-digit 5-year CAGRs (compound annual growth rates) in the 2008 survey and 21 reported year-over-year revenue growth.

Avnet is number one in the 2008 list ranked by revenue, followed by Arrow and Future. Worth special note is also number five Digi-Key, which showed a 20% five-year CAGR for revenue as of 2008, and number 15 Mouser, which showed a 33% CAGR and a stellar 30% gain in 2008 revenue year over year.

You can access the list via the "Weathering the storm" PDF located in "...Read More