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
Further reading:
From the editor's desk: Inspiring the next generation
Technews Publishing
News
Welcome to the August issue of
Dataweek. Peter Howells is still on leave, so I am back for this issue. I hope you enjoy the content and find value in it.
August is Women’s Month in South Africa,
...
Read more...
Procurement is becoming a competitive advantage
RS South Africa
News
As mining, manufacturing and industrial businesses continue to navigate rising costs, supply chain disruption and increasing pressure to improve operational performance, procurement and inventory management have become strategic business priorities rather than simply administrative functions.
Read more...
Powell Electronics signs partnership agreement with IOT Electronics
IOT Electronics
News
Powell Electronics has entered into a partnership agreement with IOT Electronics to strengthen its presence across southern Africa.
Read more...
Omniflex delivers ICCP systems across London
Omniflex Remote Monitoring Specialists
News
Omniflex has supplied impressed current cathodic protection (ICCP) systems for a range of prominent buildings across London, helping to protect reinforced concrete structures from corrosion and extending their service life.
Read more...
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Würth Electronics South Africa
News
New appointments for Würth Electronics South Africa
Read more...
MTN celebrates 80 Western Cape digital graduates
News
Eighty unemployed young people from across the Western Cape have successfully completed MTN South Africa’s Digital Skills for Digital Jobs (DS4DJ) programme, earning accredited qualifications in Data Analytics, Systems Development and Cybersecurity.
Read more...
GirlCode Hackathon 2026 kicks off across South Africa and Botswana
News
GirlCode, in partnership with Absa Group, Truecaller, MTN, SAP Fioneer, RS South Africa and other ecosystem partners, successfully hosted the first leg of the 2026 GirlCode Hackathon.
Read more...
Rooibos heads to space
News
A South African scientific initiative linking agriculture and space research has officially launched today with the Rooibos in Space programme at Parklands College’s Innovation Centre in Cape Town.
Read more...
From the editor's desk: Local can be international
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Welcome to the July 2026 issue of
Dataweek. As you can see from this introduction,
Dataweek’s regular editor, Peter Howells, is on extended leave and I am filling the void in his editor’s column – hopefully without being too boring.
Read more...
Landis+Gyr EMEA introduces new company name: EYKON
News
EYKON is the new company name of Landis+Gyr EMEA, formerly part of the Landis+Gyr Group. The company supports electricity, gas, water and thermal utilities in managing increasingly complex networks, improving operational efficiency and enabling more sustainable use of resources.
Read more...