European RoHS directive may cause component inventory misalignment

Jan. 1, 2007
Many experts predict severe inventory misalignment as a result of the European Union’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive to eliminate lead from solder, according to experts at the Environmentally Certified Electronic Resale Trade Alliance (E-CERTA) in Bloomington, Ind.

Many experts predict severe inventory misalignment as a result of the European Union’s Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive to eliminate lead from solder, according to experts at the Environmentally Certified Electronic Resale Trade Alliance (E-CERTA) in Bloomington, Ind.

E-CERTA announces the first licensing agreement from New Way Technologies and Licensing Inc., for their process to perform a total RoHS-compliant conversion from lead to no lead, along with all other restricted material, for ICs and semiconductors.

Producers that have not managed their component supply chain with precision accuracy may find themselves left with inventory that is no longer usable. Conversely, companies with products that are exempt from the legislation may find shortages of non-RoHS-compliant components.

“If millions of unusable components end up in landfills as a result of poor planning on the part of electronic product manufacturers, that result will violate the spirit and intent of the legislation, and negatively impact many companies’ balance sheets,” warns Pamela Gordon, president of Technology Forecasters Inc. and author of Lean and Green, Profit for Your Business and the Environment. “E-CERTA provides an important service to the industry as the global supply chain adjusts to safer and more environmentally sustainable electronic products.”

E-CERTA addresses component supply-chain disruptions that will occur as companies adjust their inventory before and after the RoHS deadlines, says Joel Deutsche, president of E-CERTA.

“With licensing from New Way Technologies, we offer the only patent-pending process for converting a leaded component to RoHS compliant. We also have the capability and equipment to convert a nonleaded part to leaded for all military and exempt applications and including material declaration and XRF test results to confirm the completed process,” Deutsche says.

E-CERTA offers component lead conversion; material declaration; material-content database; reclaim/reuse conversion; XRF testing for compliance; marking services; lead scan and condition; tape and reel; consignment; donations to C3501; and WEEE recycling.

For more information visit E-CERTA online at http://www.e-certa.com.

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