AN0008 Restricted Substances and Lead-free Soldering

Due to increasing environmental concerns a number of restrictions have been placed on the material content of electronic components and electronic assemblies. The main environmental concern is that the large quantities of obsolete electronic goods are being disposed of via land-fill. Over time the materials used in these assemblies enter the water within the ground thus contaminating neighboring water systems. A number of environmental directives are being issued by the European Union in order to address some of these issues. End-of Life Vehicle (ELV) Directive - which aims to ensure manufacturers of vehicles will establish methods of recycling vehicles and also restricts certain substances from being used in vehicle manufacture. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive - requires manufacturers of electronic and electrical goods to establish methods of recycling these goods, it also restricts certain substances being used as defined in the RoHS Directive. The directive does not cover all electrical goods e.g. military products and aerospace are not included. Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive - Defines the substances prohibited in electrical and electronic goods covered by the WEEE directive.