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Lead-Free/RoHS > What's the World doing about the Lead-Free Revolution?

Find out What's Going on in "Lead-Free" in Your Part of the World		You can't expect to get in the "Lead-Free" game if you don't study your playbook. Click on any of the topics below to find out the rest of the story.
The "Lead-Free" mandates are originating in Brussels with the RoHS & WEEE directives laid out by the European Commission, but the whole world is taking note. Whether you manufacture in or sell to Europe, your products are being affected by the RoHS and WEEE directives. And with 25 countries and a population of over 460 million, Europe's too large of a market to ignore. What in the World? . . . And Where We're all sharing the planet so we all need to do our part to clean it up. Look below to see what's going on with the "Lead-Free" Revolution in your part of the world. United States In the U.S., "Lead-Free" legislation is still at the state level as the EPA continues to drag its feet on passing National laws regarding the restriction of chemicals banned under RoHS. California is currently the only state that resticts the manufacture, sale of importation of electronics contaning Lead, with NJ also exploring similar restrictions. Europe Europe is leading this "Lead-Free" Revolution with their WEEE and RoHS directives assuring that everyone who wants to manufacture or sell to Europe falls in line and limits the amount of Lead and other hazardous chemicals within their products. Thanks Europe! Japan As early as 1998, Japan's Ministry of Trade & Industry was instituting "take-back" (recycling) legislation that called for OEMs to pay for and arrange the collection and recycling of leaded products. The Japanese EPA is also calling for a reduction in overall Lead use across the electronics industry by two-thirds before 2005. China China is currently offering incentives to manufacturers who are going "Lead-Free" and is in the process of developing laws that mirror RoHS in both scope and timeline. Korea To make sure that their thriving electronics industry continues to have access to the European market, South Korea started a voluntary program to ban the chemicals included in RoHS. Nearly 95% of all South Korean electronics companies have agreed to participate in this program.
		Everyone. The public is demanding it, Governments are setting regulations and manufacturers are complying. If you think it won't affect you, I'm afraid you're wrong.

		An industry Revolution. Hazardous substances and electronics waste are the targets of new environmental restrictions across the globe. Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, Hexavalent Chromium, PBBs and PBDEs, you've been put on notice.

		Planet Earth. The restrictions and regulations are originating in Europe, but Asia and the U.S. are already responding to the call. Everyone has a different take on the subject and different strategies for dealing with the issues at hand but everyone's being affected.

		Like any huge effort, going "Lead-Free" will be an ongoing and fluid process, but it's all happening as we speak. Europe has already set a deadline of July 1st, 2006 and just about every country is on board in some fashion. Mark your calendars, people. It's coming.

		No one wants to be directly responsible for destroying the planet. . .Unless you're and evil genius and that's your plan. . .You're not an evil genius are you?