RoHS

A Challenge to Exclude Hazardous Substances from All Our Products Worldwide

Electronic products use various chemical substances to make possible life longer and ensure safer use. Such substances produce no harmful effects while the products are still in use. However, after disposal, some of these substances may adversely affect the ecological system.

The European Union has issued the RoHS Directive that bans the use of certain hazardous substances in products. To comply with this Directive, Panasonic has set a policy, in essence, globally banning the use of these specified substances in all of its products as of April 2005 shipment. That is more than one year ahead of the RoHS enforcement data set in Europe.

Download our FAQ that aims to present basic information of the Directives and our ideas and initiatives to move forward with you to blaze a trail to an affluent, sustainable future.

Is there a Part Number Change?

As a general rule, Panasonic will not create unique part numbers to identify lead-free and / or RoHS compliant material. Unique part numbers will only be created for those parts that will have a change in specification as a result of the lead-free / RoHS manufacturing process.

Will RoHS Components be Especially Labeled?

Panasonic already uses labeling for some passive components to identify product as being lead-free and / or RoHS compliant on its boxes or labels but we haven’t agreed to a standard yet. We are considering, however, adapting a standard label which is being developed by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Association), in that Panasonic is an active member. Timing of this is to be determined.

How about the Implementation Time?

To ensure that Panasonic and our distribution partners are well positioned to meet the regulatory requirements by July 1st 2006, most products shipped to Distributors as of October 1st, 2004 (ex-factory basis) and beyond will be RoHS compliant. As a policy, Panasonic will not ship product containing lead after April 1st., 2005.
There will be some exceptions e.g. electromechanical components (some delay) and SMT Aluminium Lytic Capacitors.

Will RoHS Components be Especially Labeled?

Panasonic already uses labeling for some passive components to identify product as being lead-free and / or RoHS compliant on its boxes or labels but we haven’t agreed to a standard yet. We are considering, however, adapting a standard label which is being developed by JEITA (Japan Electronics and Information Technology Association), in that Panasonic is an active member. Timing of this is to be determined.

Can You Provide Me IMDS Data?

There has been a dramatic increase in the number and complexity of inquiries concerning substances and materials used in components and sub-assemblies. The Electronic Components Division within ZVEI ('ZentralVerband Elektro-Industrie') offers so-called Umbrella Specifications as a tool for efficiently processing the customer inquiries. The method is based on an intelligent grouping of all products in similar packages under one 'umbrella'. For some passive components Panasonic started together with ZVEI to offer umbrella specs.

What is RoHS?

Directive 2002/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of January 27th 2003 on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS). This bans the use of certain substances in electrical and electronic equipment products after July 2006: Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)), Polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as well as Lead (Pb).

What is WEEE?

Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of January 27th 2003 on waste of electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). Deals with the recovery, sorting and treatment of non-compliant products. Legislation is expected to be introduced by the end of 2004, with compliance by August 2005.

• Large household appliances (e.g. fridges, washing machines, electric ovens)
• Small household appliances (e.g. vacuum cleaners, toasters, irons, clocks, scales) 
• IT and telecommunication equipment (eg. computers, photocopiers) 
• Consumer equipment (e.g. televisions, video recorders, hi-fi equipment) 
• Lighting equipment (e.g. fluorescent lamps, discharge lamps)
• Electrical and electronic tools (e.g. drills, sewing machines, lawnmowers) 
• Toys, leisure and sports equipment (eg. video games and consoles, train sets) 
• Medical equipment systems (e.g. radiotherapy equipment, pulmonary ventilators) - WEEE only 
• Monitoring and control equipment (e.g. thermostats) - WEEE only
• Automatic dispensers (e.g. drinks machines) 
• Electric light bulbs - RoHS only 
• Luminaries in households - RoHS only
  

In Europe, over 90% of electrical and electronic equipment goes into landfill sites - around 6 million tonnes of waste every year. Emissions to the air that result are a risk to both health and the environment.

What about Compliant Solders?

Tin lead solder pastes melt at 183°C while lead-free pastes require 220°C. The temperature of the soldering iron may need to be increased, and the temperature rating of both components and PCBs will need to withstand these elevated levels. A trace of silver is added to some lead-free solder pastes to assist with the wetting and joint formation during the rapid reflow phase of typical surface mount technology (SMT) assembly processes.

All lead-free alloys melt at a higher temperature than traditional tin-lead alloys. The temperature of the soldering iron may need to be increased, and both the components and PCB will need to withstand these higher levels. Increased temperatures also place a greater demand on the flux, and it may be necessary to opt for a higher solids content, or more active flux if the soldering becomes difficult when using lead-free materials.

Typical melting points
Tin-Copper: 227°c
Tin-Silver-Copper: 217°c
Tin-Silver-Bismuth: 205°c to 215°c
Tin-Lead: 183°c
Tin-Bismuth: 138°c

What is Excluded from RoHS?

• Mercury (in some lighting applications)
• Lead in the glass of cathode ray tubes, electronic components and fluorescent tubes. 
• Lead in certain steel, aluminium and copper alloys 
• Lead in solders for servers, storage and array systems (until 2010)
• Lead in certain high temperature solders 
• Lead in solders for network infrastructure equipment 
• Lead in electronic ceramic parts 
• Cadmium plating (in some high reliability plating) 
• Hexavalent chromium (in absorption refrigerators) 
• Arms, munitions and war material 
• Surveillance and control systems