IEC/TR 62476 “Guidance for evaluation of product with respect to substance use restrictions in electrical and electronic equipment” provides a framework and guidance for restricted substance controls (RSC). The framework and recommendations are aligned with the requirements specified in the RoHS2 harmonized standard EN 50581 — in fact, EN 50581 subclause “4.3.4 Evaluation of information” references IEC/TR 62476.

The guidance document suggests internationally accepted standards, tools and practices and is applicable to companies that produce finished EEE product and to their supply chain. It segments restricted substance control (RSC) requirements into three areas: product planning and design, sources of information and data, and product evaluation.

A risk based approach is recommended when evaluating products for potential non-conformity. This is particularly relevant when assessing compliance to the RoHS Directive, given the large number of homogeneous materials in most EEE products. A risk based approach helps ensure that effort is directed where it can provide the most benefit. IEC/TR 62474 also discusses the possible sources of information and data, considerations for data selection and supplier information such as material declaration. ANNEX 2 – Elements to be evaluated in test reports provides a list of information that is important for a manufacturer to review and consider when they receive an analytical test report (whether the report is received from a supplier or directly from a test lab).

IEC/TR 62476 is useful to organizations in providing a high-level framework for restricted substance controls; however it stops short of providing sufficient information on how an organization may implement the framework. Contact us for additional information on IEC/TR 62476 or how to implement the framework in your organization’s RoHS/REACH confomity assurance system.

IEC formally began work to develop carbon footprint standards  for electrical & electronic products. The standards will specify product category rules enabling manufacturers to calculate carbon footprint of their products based on life cycle assessment (LCA).  The need for standards is highlighted by the growing interest by governments and retailers in implementing carbon labeling programs (UK, France, Japan, and Korea to name a few).  During the May workgroup meeting, a representative of the EU Commission presented aggressive timeframe for implementation of standards for the electronics industry.

The JIG-101 “Material Composition Declaration for Electrotechnical Products” Ed. 4 passed ballot and was been published . The document represents an agreement by DigitalEurope, CEA (Consumer Electronics Association), and JGPSSI (Japan Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative) on substances that should be declared by companies in the electronics manufacturing supply chain. Ed. 4 adds three additional SVHC substances and adjusts the threshold levels of several other substances.

An interim update to the popular Joint Industry Guide (JIG-101 — Material Composition Declaration for Electrotechnical Products) was published on September 13, 2010. JIG-1010 Ed 3.1 adds three additional substances that were included on the REACH SVHC Candidate List in June 2010: Boric acid; Disodium tetraborate, anhydrous; and tetraboron disodium heptaoxide, hydrate

The Joint Industry Guide Material Composition Declaration for Electronic Products edition 3 was released on March 31, 2010. The standard provides the electronics industry with a common list of regulated substances to be declared by manufacturers and suppliers. Changes were made to the declarable substance list primarily to reflect the additional substances added to the REACH candidate list and registry of intentions.

Revised IPC-1752A Material Declaration standard is Approved.  A major revision to the IPC-1752 standard for Material Declaration was approved by the committee on March 15, 2010 and was published on March 23, 2010. IPC-1752 provides the electronics industry and its supply chain with a standard reporting format for material declaration data exchange between supply chain participants.

Guidance for evaluation of product with respect to substance-use restrictions.  IEC 62476 TR (Guidance for evaluation of product with respect to substance use restrictions in electrical and electronic products) was approved by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in December 2009 and has now been published. The document includes high-level requirements and guidance for restricted substance controls (RSC).