The following common afdec member statement (Issue 1) was issued on 19th Feb 2004 by the project team:

The following statement forms part of Article 4 of the recently agreed European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Legislation.

"Member States shall ensure that, from 1st July 2006, new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market does not contain lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE)".

While the maximum content by % weight is still under discussion, it is likely that the allowable levels will include lead 0.1%, mercury 0.1%, cadmium 0.01% and hexavalent chromium 0.1% per homogenous material, not deliberately introduced in each component of each product. Levels have not been set, as yet, for PBBs or PBDEs.

Current RoHS and WEEE legislation has been released to member states, including the UK, for transposition into national legislation by 13/08/2004. 

To ensure we can meet our customer needs for adequate information in a timely manner, it is essential that we understand our suppliers progress towards RoHS compliance. 

The following are key targets / actions we expect our suppliers to meet:-

1. To allow distributors, and end users, to have sufficient time to transition, the latest date for full availability of RoHS process compliant components is 1st January 2005. Products that are not intended to be compliant should be clearly identified by the same date.

2. RoHS or "lead free" process compliant parts, and RoHS or "lead free" devices that may require changes to existing processes shall be clearly identified.

3. afdec members recommend a change of manufacturer part number.

4. RoHS and process compliance status shall be clearly identified on the outer packaging of the lowest standard supply multiple.

5. Procedures shall be in place to minimise the likelihood of mixed deliveries, in particular where the shipment of compliant versions has commenced. 

6. Our aim is to develop, and implement, a clear inventory management strategy to minimise the impact of the RoHS Directive in terms of non-compliant stock that is unfit for resale. As a matter of urgency we are requesting from each of our suppliers details of their "RoHS Inventory Returns Policy" that will be applied in relation to non-compliant parts held within the supply chain.

In summary, the members of afdec, who represent 84% of the UK distribution market, are, in general, disappointed with the current flow of information from our suppliers, and we ask that suppliers address and communicate their position on the above matters at their earliest convenience.

This statement is issued by the Association of Franchised Distributors of Electronic Components and has been prepared by representatives from the Companies below: 

Abacus, Acal, Aerco, America 2, Anders, Arrow, Astute, Avnet, Compstock, Easby, Farnell InOne, Flint, Future, Gelec, Maplin, Memec, Radiatron, Rapid, RS Components, Selectronix, Sequoia Technology Solid State Supplies, Spartan, Sterling, Trident Displays, Young Ecc, 2001.