Only 69 percent of contract manufacturers see full compliance with EU's Restriction of Hazardous Substances legislation by deadline
Phoenix November 4, 2004 Only 69 percent of contract manufacturers believe they will be fully compliant with new global environmental legislation by the July 2006 deadline prescribed by the European Union's (EU's) Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation, according to a new study.
Research by Technology Forecasters Inc. (TFI) and Avnet Electronics Marketing, the largest operating group of Avnet Inc., shows that nearly one-third of contract manufacturers believe they will not be compliant by the July deadline, known in the industry as "E-day."
The EU's RoHS legislation will require the removal of a number of hazardous substances, including lead, from electronic components by mid-2006. Similar environmental initiatives are being mandated by other countries and some states in the United States. RoHS legislation will affect every electronics supplier, contract manufacturer and original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) that uses lead in the manufacturing of products. Lead is a major ingredient in the solder used in most electronics devices.
"This research shows that 42 percent of suppliers are not planning to change part numbers, which will create confusion as to which parts are compliant," said Greg Frazier, executive vice president of global supply chain services at Avnet Electronics Marketing. "Because of this, the transition to lead-free will be an enormous undertaking with a significant impact on the supply chain, profoundly affecting distributors like Avnet, who in many cases, are the main point of contact to suppliers for our customers."
The study includes background on component suppliers' part numbering plans for products free of restricted substances, contract manufacturers and OEMs wants and needs, and recommendations about viable and cost-effective practices for tracking and managing compliant parts.
A summary of the findings of the project is available at http://www.avnet.com/ctf_shared/sta/df3df3usa/Avnet_Green_Study.pdf.
Phoenix November 4, 2004 Only 69 percent of contract manufacturers believe they will be fully compliant with new global environmental legislation by the July 2006 deadline prescribed by the European Union's (EU's) Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation, according to a new study.
Research by Technology Forecasters Inc. (TFI) and Avnet Electronics Marketing, the largest operating group of Avnet Inc., shows that nearly one-third of contract manufacturers believe they will not be compliant by the July deadline, known in the industry as "E-day."
The EU's RoHS legislation will require the removal of a number of hazardous substances, including lead, from electronic components by mid-2006. Similar environmental initiatives are being mandated by other countries and some states in the United States. RoHS legislation will affect every electronics supplier, contract manufacturer and original equipment manufacturer (OEMs) that uses lead in the manufacturing of products. Lead is a major ingredient in the solder used in most electronics devices.
"This research shows that 42 percent of suppliers are not planning to change part numbers, which will create confusion as to which parts are compliant," said Greg Frazier, executive vice president of global supply chain services at Avnet Electronics Marketing. "Because of this, the transition to lead-free will be an enormous undertaking with a significant impact on the supply chain, profoundly affecting distributors like Avnet, who in many cases, are the main point of contact to suppliers for our customers."
The study includes background on component suppliers' part numbering plans for products free of restricted substances, contract manufacturers and OEMs wants and needs, and recommendations about viable and cost-effective practices for tracking and managing compliant parts.
A summary of the findings of the project is available at http://www.avnet.com/ctf_shared/sta/df3df3usa/Avnet_Green_Study.pdf.
