LEAD-FREE SOLUTIONS

RoHS Compliance Comes Early

Omron Components has become fully RoHS-compliant, with the final removal of all remaining non-compliant stock from its European warehouse. The company is ahead of the ‘period of grace’ granted by the EU, having eliminated cadmium as well as lead from its devices.



Omron’s manufacturing sites have been compliant since April 2005; the European operation has followed through by identifying stock with an Ro (RoHS-compliant) and PF (Pb-Free) marking on its IT systems, and usually on the packaging as well. Since the end of October 2005, the company has supplied only compliant stock to Arrow. It is maintaining its compliant status with rigorous verification at goods inwards, shipment and especially on any returns received from customers.



The company has also made a global, company-wide commitment to become a cadmium-free company: all components designed in the last 10 years are cadmium-free as a standard. A number of alternatives have been identified, allowing the company to guarantee unchanged specifications in every case.

Since April 2005, Omron has been eliminating cadmium from its remaining switch and relay ranges, and has not encountered significant issues in matching existing performance. Customers have been transitioning throughout this period, and have not reported any significant problems: as there were no changes to datasheets, approvals or price, the use of cadmium-free products can only be seen as an advantage.



Although, thanks to the EU grace period, it remains legal to use cadmium-based products so long as they are lead-free, taking up this option will require a further switch when this part of the directive becomes effective. Omron therefore recommends that all its customers join them in eliminating toxic substances from production early, to ensure minimum pain when a substance becomes prohibited.

Globally, the European RoHS directive is only the first stage in an ongoing process. California’s laws, mirroring RoHS legislation, take effect in early 2007, while China and Japan are also imposing restrictions. There are signs that the directives will be extended to cover other toxic substances. It is well worth keeping production and operating practices under continuous review with this in mind.

Features

• Fully RoHS-compliant products
• Already cadmium-free: ahead of time
• Guaranteed unchanged performance
• Product approvals status maintained
• No price increases
• Products include
  • Relays
  • Switches
  • Photomicrosensors
  • Intelligent sensors
  • Connectors

For further information, including the latest Product Brochure, please click here