Restriction of Hazardous Substances Initiative (ROHS)
SV Microwave has established a comprehensive plan for RoHS “Restriction of Hazardous Substances” compliant technologies in accordance with the European Union’s Directive 2002/95/EC.
In response to the RoHS Directive, we have worked with our supplier base to eliminate non-compliant materials from the components in our products.
SV Microwave always pursues continuous improvement activities in our manufacturing processes and also strives to improve our level of environmental awareness. In addition to the move to Pb-free processes and recycling of waste materials, we are always looking at ways to improve our facilities from an environmental, health, and safety perspective for our employees, customers, and community.
RoHS Limits:
The EU (TAC) Technical Adoption Committee workgroup has agreed, in principle, to the latest guidance document outlining the 'Maximum Concentration Values' of the substances banned in the RoHS Directive. These are defined in Article 5(1)(a): A maximum concentration value of 0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials for:
- Lead
- Mercury
- Hexavalent chromium
- Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)
- And a maximum concentration value of 0.01% by weight in homogeneous materials for cadmium shall be tolerated.
Definitions:
Homogeneous: The term 'homogeneous' is understood as 'of uniform composition throughout. Examples of 'homogeneous materials' are individual types of plastics, ceramics, glass, metals, alloys, paper, boards, resins, and coatings. Homogenous material, as related to the Directive, implies individual material that cannot be mechanically disjointed into different materials.
Mechanically Disjointed: The term 'mechanically disjointed' means that the material can be, in principle, separated by mechanical actions such as unscrewing, cutting, crushing, grinding, and abrasive processes.
RoHS Compliance:
In order to be compliant with the RoHS Directive, SV Microwave has established and implemented a multi-staged approach through supply chain management (purchasing), design modifications, supply chain, and empirical test methods.
Identification: Our RoHS-compliant products will have unique identifiers as such. We also will provide a cross-reference document to our European customers based on their past usage.
Design:
Our products have been changed to a Pb-free solder or other configurations in accordance with RoHS legislation, as applicable to our customers. Customer-specific applications that are unaffected by the RoHS Directive will continue as-is.
Supply Chain:
We will build our supplier base around companies who make positive efforts and achieve results to satisfy RoHS compliant procurement.
Test Methods:
Testing of materials used in our finished products will be conducted using laboratory analysis.
Product Compliance:
It is our intent to follow a process of Self Declaration for our products. This will be achieved through responses to our customer questionnaires, certificates of conformance, materials declarations, material certifications, and laboratory analysis as necessary.