Germany Adds Polyaromatic Hydrocarbon Testing to GS Mark Requirements

Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) Standard Required for GS (Geprüfte Sicherheit) Safety Testing

January 23rd 2008:
The German Committee for Commercial Equipment and Consumer Products (ATAV) has now made previously voluntary testing for polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) a standard requirement necessary for GS (Geprüfte Sicherheit) safety testing product certification. This will include electronic products intended for use in households and in the workplace. Learn more.

The PAH family of chemicals includes compounds with extended resonant cyclic structure, such as naphthalene, anthracene, tetracene, pentacene and higher compounds. They are used as additives in vulcanized rubber, as plasticizers, and as black pigments in polymers, among other applications. Some jurisdictions, such as Canada, are tracking PAHs onto legislated toxic substance schedules.

For more information, please contact:
Ruud Overbeek, Ph.D.
Restricted Substances Compliance Director
Intertek
Phone: +1 713 407 3662
Email: testingservices@intertek.com

Intertek Acquires Ageus Solutions

Ageus Solutions provides Global REACH, RoHS and Related Services:

October 22, 2007 Houston Texas, Kanata Ontario - Intertek Group plc (Intertek), a leading international provider of quality and safety services to a wide range of industries, announced that its Restricted Substances Consulting Services Group has acquired Ageus Solutions.Ageus Solutions provides global environmental compliance consulting, technology services, and product stewardship to the electronics and other industries. Ageus helps clients facilitate corporate and product compliance with the myriad of global regulations related to the environment.
Ageus Solutions is one of the leading global REACH, EU RoHS, EU WEEE, China RoHS, and Japan Green service providers. Since its inception in 2004, Ageus Solutions has assisted over 150 companies complete RoHS conversion of thousands of products ranging from musical instruments to telecommunications devices to medical devices. Learn more.

Hand-held XRF and Screening for Restricted Subtances

Almost all products typically conform to strict US standards and are accompanied by extensive compliance documentation proving safety and compliance. However, the use of additional monitoring may help to further ensure that consumer products do not contain dangerous chemicals. Recent recalls have indicated that additional in field monitoring of shipments will be helpful.

Intertek, the leading global quality, safety, and inspection company (www.intertek.com), has therefore developed on-site measurement services with real time chemical safety verifications using state-of-the-art portable analyzers. This breakthrough in-field inspection service using hand-held XRF (X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis) is focusing primarily on parts of a product with the highest risk of containing dangerous substances. This inspection can identify the presence of these substances in the field and in-store, at high output, and with no special sample preparation. A trained Intertek expert will use the analyzer to check for non-compliance and the presence of dangerous chemicals.

After completion of the check using the portable analyzer, findings are provided immediately to the client via email and a complete inspection report is issued within two working days – offering clients and consumers a fast, effective, and low cost method for ensuring their products are safe.

Intertek offers the complete solution for product safety, providing sound traceability systems and strict enforcement of due diligence policies. Intertek does more than simply help our clients comply; we give them the competitive advantage.

In which countries is RoHS mandatory?

I would like to know where (which countries) RoHS is mandatory(required)? Only in Europe? Will RoHS be requested by Regulators in Latin America countries?

Dr. Ruud Overbeek: It is not a simple answer, but there will be various countries with rohs or rohs like legislations. First of all the EU rohs covers 25 countries in the EU. There will also be California rohs starting January 07 covering limited equipment but it will be covering all rohs equipment in 2010. There will be china rohs as of march 07 and Korea rohs as of july 07. There is also Japan rohs right now, having mandatory labeling but voluntary restrictions. Other countries are following like Taiwan and possibly other states soon in the USA. It is unknown at this point if south American countries will follow.

India Strategies for Managing Environmental Issues and Sustainable Growth in Electronics

Strategies for Managing Environmental Issues and Sustainable Growth in Electronics

Intertek Speaks at ELCOMP India – Sept 7, 2006
Dr. Ruud Overbeek, Intertek Global Director of Restricted Substances, is an invited speaker at the upcoming ELCOMP India 2nd Annual International Exhibition and Conference at the Pragati Maidan Exhibition Center in New Delhi, India on September 7, 2006 from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Learn more.

The presentation in question will explore the following issue:
“Strategies for Managing Environmental Issues and Sustainable Growth in Electronics”
ELCINA Electronic Industries Association of India (India’s oldest and most reputable electronics association covering consumer electronics, telecom, IT, medical, and automobile industries) has joined forces with Exhibitions India Pvt. Ltd. (a renown trade promotion group who successfully organizes international exhibitions in India as well as promotes participation of Indian companies at these exhibitions) to organize the ELCOMP India 2nd World Conference.

California Proposes a Bill to Align with RoHS Directive

California Proposes a Bill to Align with RoHS Directive

The current Californian Act (Electronic Waste Recycling Act of 2003) prohibits an electronic device (cathode ray tube, cathode ray tube device, flat panel screen, or any other similar video display device with a screen size that is greater than four inches in size measured diagonally) from being sold or offered for sale in the state of California if it does not meet the Heavy Metal requirement as stated in RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC by January 1, 2007.

Learn more.

RoHS WEEE Compliance Deadline July 2006

From 1st July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the EU must meet new regulations. The European Union Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC (OJ L 37, 13.2.2003, p. 24) covers almost all EEE in such categories.

RoHS and WEEE Regulations

The European Union Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC (OJ L 37, 13.2.2003, p. 24) covers almost all EEE in such categories including:
Computers
IT Equipment, IT Peripherals
Electronic Components
Radios
Consumer Electronics
Mobile phones
Monitoring and Control Equipment
Televisions, DVD Players
Lighting, Toys
Medical devices, Other
Download .pdf review of RoHS and WEEE regulations.

From 1st July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment placed on the market in the EU shall not contain:
Lead (Pb)
Mercury (Hg)
Cadmium (Cd)
Hexavalent chromium (VI) (Cr (VI)
Certain brominated flame retardants (BFR’s)
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB’s)
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s)

Learn more at: RoHS WEEE Compliance Services