Where do RoHS materials occur?

The RoHS Directive proscribes the use of certain materials in electronics applications and it is important for all parts of the supply chain to understand where these materials may be encountered and with what they should be replaced. The materials that will no longer be allowed in electronics once the RoHS directive comes into force in July 2006 are:

Lead

Cadmium

Mercury

Hexavalent chrome

Certain brominated flame retardants (polybrominated biphenyls and penta and octa bromodiphenyl ethers)

Interactive examples

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Use of some of these materials is already diminishing. For example, IBM already restricts the use of lead, chromium, cadmium, and mercury in non-critical applications such as plastic housings, paints, and packaging.