RoHS Regulations and The Need for Accurate Lead Detection
The European Unions (EU) 2003 directive on the restriction of using certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment is commonly referred to as the Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS). This regulation on heavy metals took effect in 2006 and restricts the use of six hazardous materials in the manufacture of electronic and electrical equipment manufactured in, or sold into, the EU.
X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Technology is a proven solution for organizations that prefer in-house testing and Quickshot XRF offers both handheld and desktop instruments to meet the compliance regulations.
Developed to limit the amount of toxic ‘e-waste’ put back into the environment; the regulation is designed for the European Union member states and affects companies that sell into them. In addition to affecting companies selling into the EU, many other countries and states are developing similar hazardous substance regulations – Asia has China-RoHS and California has developed the EWRA – so proving compliance is critical to insure continued business across a wide range of locations.
Six regulated materials
(regulated to 1,000 parts-per-million unless noted)
- Lead (Pb)
- Mercury (Hg)
- Cadmium (Cd, at 100 ppm)
- Hexavelent Chromium (Cr6+)
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ether (PBDE)
The maximum permitted concentrations are 0.1% or 1000 parts-per-million (ppm) (except for cadmium, which is limited to 0.01% or 100 ppm) by weight of homogeneous material. This means that the limits do not apply to the weight of the finished product, or even to a component, but to any single substance that could (theoretically) be separated mechanically—for example, the sheath on a cable or the tinning on a component lead.
Everything that can be identified as a homogeneous material must meet the limit. So if it turns out that one material part of a product has 2,300 ppm (0.23%) of a regulated material then the entire product would fail the requirements of the directive.
X-Ray Fluorescence as a Testing Solution
X-ray fluorescence provides companies that need to show compliance to RoHS and similar regulations a nondestructive method of screening incoming components for heavy metals. XRF offers many benefits in addition to being a nondestructive solution, it is lower in cost and faster than other methods of testing and the Quickshot XRF software package is simple to navigate so that anyone with basic computer knowledge can use the system effectively.
With detection limits as low as ten (10) parts-per-million (ppm) with accuracy in the 0.5% to 5% and various benefits to the different models (handheld provides portability and no limit to sample size; desktop provides camera systems and multiple filters/collimators) XRF has become a popular solution for companies that need to prove compliance.
At Quickshot XRF, we suggest our handheld analyzer for hazardous substance detection. The major benefit of this system is that there is no limit to a samples size, shape or location. With a simple point and shoot approach for real time results, the system is perfect for incoming inspection needs and the software has been developed so that it is simple operation for any level of expertise.
Contact Quickshot XRF to discuss your hazardous substance testing needs
...we look forward to providing the solution.