On November 20, 2012, Denmark released an
order that restricts phthalates, a plastic softener. Evidence indicates that phthalates can potentially cause damage to the endocrine system. The order bans the import and sale of
DEHP, DBP, BBP and DIBP at a concentration greater than 0.1% by weight. The order will enter into force on December 1, 2013. For electrical and electronic products that fall within the scope of RoHS 2, the ban will begin on December 1, 2014.
EU REACH is considering restricting these substances but in June 2013 the European Chemicals Agency’s (ECHA) argued that “available data does not indicate that there is currently a risk from combined exposure to the four phthalates.”
On April 18, 2013, the European Chemicals Agency amended Annex XIV adding 8 substances making a total of 22 substances. The updated list can be found here.
On March 29 a new EICC GeSI reporting template for conflict minerals reporting was released. The new template can be found at the EICC site: http://www.eicc.info/index.shtml
You will have to register to download the template.
One of the challenges of managing RoHS/REACH compliance for electronic products is validating the compliance of hardware like customized parts, machined parts, sheet metals covered with paints and inks, injected rubber/plastice, etc. Consumables like solder paste and adhesives are also a challenge.
GreenSoft can collect this data and GreenData Manager software can be used to model the data so that it can be used across a variety of products.
Download the white paper here.
On March 27, 2013 the European Commission launched a public consultation on conflict minerals. The aim of the consultation is get interested parties’ views on a potential EU initiative for responsible sourcing of minerals coming from conflict zones and high-risk areas – for example, war zones, post-war zones, and areas vulnerable to political instability or civil unrest.
The consultation is open until June 26, 2013 and will be managed by the Commission's Directorate-General for Trade.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) in Canada is about to reintroduce legislation, modeled on the US Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, to ensure Canadian companies are not using conflict minerals in their supply chain. Go here for the story.
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other groups filed suit against the SEC in January. The suit argued that the regulation is too costly, burdonsome, inconsistent with congressional intent, and ultimately that they are unconstitutional because they compel companies to disclose information in violation of the First Amendment. The D.C. Circuit Court is scheduled to hear the case on May 15, 2013. The Manufacturers Alliance for Productivity and Innovation (MAPI) has posted a helpful summary of the SEC's response. MAPI's conclusion: Companies should continue to prepare for the rule's full implementation in order to file a first report by the deadline of May 31, 2014.
On 6 February 2013 The Council of the European Union released a Roadmap on Substances of Very High Concern. In it, the ECHA and the European Commission agreed to have all currently known SVHCs included in the Candidate List by 2020.
"The Commission made a preliminary, worst case estimation of 440 substances to be RMO assessed between 2013 and 2020. This would require developing around 55 RMOs per year. In the years from middle 2009/end 2012, RMOs for around 160 substances have been prepared by ECHA and MS and 138 substances have been included in the Candidate List. A mid-tem objective is that around 80 substances, in addition to the substances already assessed and/or listed today in the candidate list, will be subject to a RMO by the end of 2014."
The report can be found here.
On January 17, 2013 the ECHA recommended 10 substances for inclusion on the SVHC list. The 10 substances are:
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#
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Substance name and
SVHC property
|
Uses in the scope of authorisation (examples)
|
|---|
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1
|
Formaldehyde, oligomeric reaction products with aniline (technical MDA)
(carcinogenic)
|
Hardener for epoxy resins; curing agent for polymers
|
|
2
|
Arsenic acid
(carcinogenic)
|
Used to modify properties of glass and in the production of printed circuit boards
|
|
3
|
Dichromium tris(chromate)
(carcinogenic)
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Anti-corrosion surface treatments of steel and aluminium in the construction and the aeronautic sectors
|
|
4
|
Strontium chromate
(carcinogenic)
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Anti-corrosion coatings in the aeronautic/aerospace, coil coating and vehicle coating sectors
|
|
5
|
Potassium hydroxyoctaoxodizincatedichromate
(carcinogenic)
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Anti-corrosion coatings in the aeronautic/aerospace and vehicle coating sectors
|
|
6
|
Pentazinc chromate octahydroxide
(carcinogenic)
|
Anti-corrosion coatings in the vehicle coating and the aeronautic/aerospace sectors
|
|
7
|
Bis(2-methoxyethyl) ether (Diglyme)
(toxic for reproduction)
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Primarily used as a reaction solvent or process chemical in distillation applications; further in batteries and in the production of plastics
|
8
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N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAC)
(toxic for reproduction)
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Solvent in synthesis, the production of synthetic fibres, in industrial coatings, paint strippers, insulation paper, films and membranes
|
|
9
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1,2-dichloroethane (EDC)
(carcinogenic)
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Solvent in the manufacture of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals and in mixtures for biochemical applications
|
|
10
|
2,2'-dichloro-4,4'-methylenedianiline (MOCA)
(carcinogenic)
|
Curing agent in resins and in the production of polymer articles
|
For more, go to: http://echa.europa.eu/view-article/-/journal_content/title/echa-recommends-10-svhcs-for-authorisation.
The ECHA on January 10 announced expiration dates for three exemptions:
- Exemption request 17a “Lead in glass of electronic components and fluorescent tubes, or in electronic ceramic parts (including dielectric ceramic capacitors) used in industrial monitoring & control instruments (only sub-category 9 industrial)”, exemption to expire in 2024.
- Exemption request 18a “Lead used in compliant pin connector systems for use in industrial monitoring and control instruments (only sub-category 9 industrial)”, exemption to expire in 2024
- l Exemption request 20a “Mercury in cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFL) for back-lighting liquid crystal displays not exceeding 5 mg per lamp used in industrial monitoring and control instruments (only sub-category 9 industrial)”
For more details see: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/consultations/rohs6_en.htm