Making the Transition to Lead-Free Products : A Survey of the Position of UK Manufacturing and Guidance on How to Make the Change

The Restriction of certain Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive will, from 1 July 2006, ban the sale in the EU of certain categories of electrical and electronic equipment containing (or manufactured using) certain banned substances.

The ban applies to six substances. There are limited exemptions, but the ban on lead in solders will have the greatest impact on electrical equipment manufacturers in terms of the work and investment in new equipment required to switch to alternative lead-free materials.

Through ERA's industrial contacts and from other experts in the field, it has been clear for a while that industry is reacting very slowly to the requirements of this Directive.

This has potentially serious business implications in terms of loss of sales and market share, belated and rushed changes to designs and a consequent unplanned peak in expenditure.

Over 150 companies have been surveyed to determine what they are doing or planning to do as a result of the growing trend in the electronics industry to change to the use of lead-free solders.

This is the largest survey of its type and gives a representative view of all sectors of the British electronics industry. The report presents the results of this survey, describes the necessary steps required to make the transition to lead-free, and highlights the key issues to be addressed in making the transition.

This is supported by a review of the legislative requirement, the world-wide trends in lead-free, the alternative materials to tin/lead and their relative properties.

The aim of this project was to quantify the level of preparedness of UK industry across all affected sectors to meet the requirements of the RoHS Directive and to assist industry in meeting the July 2006 deadline.

Many manufacturers have a long way to go in making the move to lead-free.

This report provides the starting point for managing this change.