WEEE and RoHS�have we been focused on the wrong issue?
The directives ultimate goal is to eliminate hazardous materials and the need for recycling programs
BY ROD SPEAR
TTI
Fort Worth, TX
http://www.ttiinc.com
We have all been so preoccupied with determining whether we can find compliant parts to meet the WEEE and RoHS Directives that we are overlooking a more significant perspective. The ultimate goal of the directives is not to confirm compliance or develop effective recycling programs, but to eliminate the use of hazardous materials and, therefore, the need for recycling programs.
Designers must take into consideration, more than ever before, the availability of raw materials, components, and the manufacturability of their designs in the post-RoHS world.
This moves the long-term problem from the supply chain function directly to the design function. Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE) shows the design linkage.
Article 1 (Objectives): The purpose of this Directive is, as a first priority, the prevention of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), and in addition, the reuse, recycling and other forms of recovery of such wastes so as to reduce the disposal of waste.
Article 3 (Definitions): “Prevention” means measures aimed at reducing the quantity and the harmfulness to the environment of WEEE and materials and substances contained therein.
Article 4 (Product Design): Directs member states to encourage design actions by declaring:
Member states shall encourage the design and production of electrical and electronic equipment which take into account and facilitate dismantling and recovery, in particular the reuse and recycling of WEEE, their components and materials.
Not only does this linkage move the ultimate solution into the first stage of the product lifecycle, but it also creates the opportunity for the design team to lead efforts for products that provide cost and value advantages over your competition.
Of course, it could also lead to a very big problem�designing a product that cannot be manufactured or has no effective sources of supply. Many areas of concern regarding the design of products to meet the WEEE and RoHS directives must be keep in mind:
• Increased thermal shock problems.
• Heightened differences in coefficients of expansion of components and PCB materials.
• New solders and solder temperature profiles and new fluxes.
• The possibility of tin whiskers.
• New test requirements and fixtures.
• Brittle solder joints; reduced wetting.
Design engineers must understand the issues in this substantial list and be able to address them effectively.
More than ever before, designers must take into consideration the availability of raw materials, components, and the manufacturability of their designs in the post-RoHS world. Engineers must involve their supply chain and manufacturing groups in many more design decisions and the engineering team must develop an effective process that results in products that manufacturing can produce efficiently and economically.
Failure to include your entire supply chain team in your design team efforts seriously raises the risk of design failure. Engineering now has a unique opportunity to provide products that can improve productivity, reduce total acquisition costs, and increase profitability.
The design function should be pushing for the development of products that enhance the ability to effectively recycle waste electrical and electronic equipment, reduce the hazardous materials in the product, and, ultimately, eliminate the use of hazardous materials altogether. Those companies that achieve these goals will be the big winners in the marketplace.
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