This is an overview of our current position on this subject and addresses the most frequently asked questions:
RoHS Policy
Do Items sold by Amphenol Invotec fall under / comply with the RoHS Directive?
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Legislation (RoHS 3), European Directive 2015/863, restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
The products supplied by Amphenol Invotec are components not defined as EEE and are therefore out of the scope of the regulations.
However, the components we manufacture (Printed Circuit Boards) are used in the manufacture of Electrical Equipment, it is recognised that knowledge of component parts is relevant and important to many of our Customers to meet future compliance obligations.
Amphenol Invotec shall endeavour to support the needs customer by offering products and information that will enable them to build RoHS Compliant Electrical Equipment.
We will maintain communication with our supply chain to enable us to continue to supply PCB’s that are used in electrical equipment compliant with the directive.
We can confirm that none of our products contain:
Cadmium and its compounds.
Hexavalent chromium and its compounds.
Mercury and its compounds.
Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB).
Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).
Bis(2-Ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).
Benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP).
Dibutyl phthalate (DBP).
Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP).
However, a considerable quantity of our products contains lead. The lead is present in the solderable coatings on the supplied PCB whenever a customer specifies Hot Air Solder level SnPb, or reflowed SnPb as a surface finish.
Will we be making any changes to our products in order to make them RoHS Compliant?
We will not be making changes to any PCB that we manufacture unless requested by the customer. As the RoHS Directive does not specifically apply to our product (see Q1), and we are not always made aware of either the end application or market; we will continue to supply HASL SnPb products for as long as there is a customer demand. Several ‘Lead Free’ finishes exist and have been in widespread use for many years. In addition to being lead free they also offer benefits to the PCB assembler. Should you wish to receive further details of the surface finishes available please contact your Account Manager or email: [email protected]
Lead Free Implementation Roadmap
Many of our Customers have specified lead free finishes for many years. Not necessarily because they are lead free, but because of the many advantages they offer to the assembler compared with traditional Hot Air Solder Levelled Tin Lead. As board complexity has increased, so has the demand for alternative finishes.
Available Lead Free Finishes
Within the Invotec Group we offer:
Immersion NiAu
Immersion Tin
Immersion Silver
Lead-free HAL
Of these, Immersion NiAu is the most established and has been in widespread use for many years. Today it represents approximately 50% of all PCB’s that we supply.
Compatibility with Lead Free Components, Fluxes and Soldering Techniques
The vast range of components, fluxes and soldering techniques in use means that it is not possible for us to supply data on the compatibility of the above finishes with specific applications. Each Customer will need to establish the surface finish that works best for them in their particular application. Invotec will work with Customers to support specific manufacturers' data sheets and guidelines for each specific finish.
Handling and Storage of Lead Free Finish PCB’s
Because the Lead Free finishes we offer are well established, so the Handling and Storage of such PCB’s are also well established and do not change as a result of the RoHS Directive.
Will we be changing our Part Numbers?
If you instruct us to change the solderable finish on a PCB we currently manufacture for you we would allocate a new Tool (Internal Part) Number to the PCB. Depending upon the chosen finish and the existing board design it may well be necessary for us to make some minor modifications, typically to the soldermask. Such changes would be discussed with you prior to implementation. PCB’s are however traditionally ordered against the Customers Part Number and Revision level and not our internal Part (Tool) Number. The decision on whether to change the order reference Part Number and or Revision Level therefore rests with the Customer. We would, however, recommend that at the very least the part revision status is amended in order to avoid any confusion.
Labelling and Traceability of Lead Free products
The lead free finishes offered are currently visibly distinguishable from a traditional HASL SnPb finish. It will also be detailed on the C of C supplied with the deliver 'if the PCB's are RoHS Compliant.