In the future, lead will have to be completely removed from every-day use objects for two reasons: the effect it has on the human organism; the problem constituted by its accumulation in the single stages of the food chain. Japanese electronics producers have been oriented for a long time towards to productive trend.In Japan, since April 2001, two guidelines are already in force: one on electronic waste, the other on waste. This means that in the future, Rising Sun manufacturers will only bring to the market lead.-free products, not just because they are responsible for the proper disposal of lead-containing products, but especially for a matter of global competition.
In the US, the technological association IPC, has launched starting signals for the quicker introduction of these lead-free technologies, also keeping in mind development in other parts of the world. Also here the last push doesn't comes from law-making organisations. What is commonly known in Japan as "green" electronics, is still a matter for discussion in Europe; and the possible prohibition of lead in electronic components would end up, for the whole European Union, starting from 2006.
At the moment the decision of the 15th of May 2001 of the European Parliament on a directive concerning electronic waste (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive) is already on its way to European and National applications and in 2003 it could become law int he various Euro-area Nations. How to find new technologies and resources? How to adapt? There are many actions that could be taken.
In Productronica 2001, the international fair of electronic manufacturing held in Munich fromt he 6th to the 9th of November, machines, materials and production systems were offered to eliminate the tin-lead alloy in favour of other welding alloys.
December.2001
IPC
Other articles about the lead-free subject:
Lead elimination
