BANNOCKBURN, IL --Calling the impact of the RoHS Directive "enormous, expensive and burdensome," IPC is calling for industry resistance to potential additions to the controversial environmental rules.

The trade group is asking companies to contact EU Council and Parliament officials "to prevent unwarranted RoHS regulations." Specifically, the trade group argues that the final revised RoHS Directive must not restrict Tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA), the flame retardant used in more than 80% of printed circuit boards.

"If TBBPA is added to RoHS, the EU will be initiating a troublesome precedent by restricting a substance for political instead of scientific reasons. The Okö Institut, private consultants hired by the EU Commission, identified TBBPA for possible restriction under RoHS. TBBPA has undergone a comprehensive EU risk assessment that determined it is safe for the environment and human health," IPC said in a press release.

Nevertheless, an IPC task group last week closed voting on the draft of a pending standard limiting use of bromine -- a main constituent in TBBPA -- in certain electronics products. It is unclear why IPC is taking what seem to be contradictory positions on halogen -- in response to Circuits Assembly's questions in February, IPC said,

"There is a fundamental difference between non-voluntary legislation and voluntary standards. J-STD-709 standard does not state an IPC position.” However, critics of IPC's position have noted that standards are by definition intended to set industry requirements.

IPC is listing on its website (www.ipc.org/global-efforts) analysis of the proposed RoHS review, instructions on how to contact EU officials, and a draft letter for EU officials. 

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