Proposed IEC Standard on Halogen-Free Raises Concerns
July 10, 2017 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Like the game Whack-a-Mole, the idea of a standard for low-halogen electronics keeps popping up. Originally, proposed as an IPC specification of chlorine and bromine in copper-clad laminates, IEC 61249-2-21 was established many years ago to define FR-4 products for halogen-free.
Then about a decade ago, concerns about certain toxic bromine-containing flame-retardants (polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and concerns regarding incomplete combustion of PVC and bromine-containing plastics in electronics led to the passage of the EU WEEE Regulation and RoHS Directive which banned the toxic substances and mandated appropriate handling of waste electronics.
Despite the removal of any toxic halogen-containing compounds from the electronics supply chain, IPC and JEDEC members began discussions about the development of a standard for low halogen electronics. IPC, with its broad membership and open voting processes, never approved the low halogen standard, which was deemed to be a marketing tool posing as an environmental standard. JEDEC, with its narrower membership, went ahead and passed and published "Definition of 'Low Halogen' for Electronic Products” in 2015.
In 2016, the JEDEC standard was temporarily (up to six years) approved by IEC TC 111 (environmental standardization committee) as an IEC publicly available specification (PAS), despite the broad questions that were raised regarding technical validity. Revision and permanent adoption of the standard is now being considered by TC 111. The proposed revision would define electronics as “Low Halogen” when they “contain less than 0,9% (by mass) total elemental halogen content (F+Cl+Br+I) and meet the thresholds of all halogenated substances in IEC 91 62474 database." The proposed standard is concerning not just because of the content of the proposal, but by the labeling of low halogen as an environmental standard.
The standard is in the Committee Draft Phase which means it is being circulated for comments to all IEC TC111 member countries. The deadline for comment is September 15, 2017. If you are concerned, contact your country’s IEC National Committee and the IEC TC111 representatives.
Suggested Items
Kimball Electronics Thailand Raises Environmental Awareness through Mangrove Conservation Activity
06/07/2024 | Kimball ElectronicsOn June 5, World Environment Day, Kimball Electronics Thailand held a Mangrove planting event at Air and Coastal Defense Command, Sattahip District.
Aismalibar to Attend PCIM 2024
06/05/2024 | AismalibarAismalibar will be attending PCIM 2024 in Nuremberg, Germany from June 11th to 13th, presenting new cooling technologies for power electronics, specifically Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs) and Insulated Metal Substrates (IMS). PCIM is the leading international exhibition and conference for Power Electronics, Intelligent Motion, Renewable Energy and Energy Management.
Spirit Electronics Offers ISOCOM Limited Optoelectronics and Microelectronics through Authorized Distribution
06/05/2024 | BUSINESS WIRESpirit Electronics announces authorized distribution for ISOCOM Limited, an optoelectronics and microelectronics manufacturer serving aerospace and defense industries. ISOCOM products hold flight heritage in space and offer a range of solutions including hermetically packaged and radiation-hardened solutions for optocouplers, power MOSFETs, solid state relays, voltage regulators and more.
GPV's Strong Focus to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
06/05/2024 | GPVWe have a target of a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas intensity in our scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2028 from a 2020 baseline, and we proactively work to implement initiatives that support us in reaching this target.
Sypris Appoints Michael D. Sedgwick as Vice President and General Manager of Sypris Electronics
06/05/2024 | Sypris Solutions Inc.Sypris Solutions, Inc. announced the appointment of Michael D. Sedgwick to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Sypris Electronics, LLC, effective June 3, 2024.