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Do we have to go lead free???

George

#32386

Do we have to go lead free??? | 1 February, 2005

I have been told that If you are not going to do business outside the USA then you don't have to worry about going Lead Free.. Is that correct? Also it seems everyone is leaning towards SAC305. What about SN95/AG4 instead???

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Bob R.

#32387

Do we have to go lead free??? | 1 February, 2005

If you don't sell outside the US you may not need to do it from a legal standpoint (for the time being), but have you asked your customers what their roadmaps are? We're in the automotive market which is exempt in Europe, but we're being driven by customers in their desire to appear green.

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#32389

Do we have to go lead free??? | 1 February, 2005

California has a lead free plan set to go into effect on jan1 2007

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#32392

Do we have to go lead free??? | 1 February, 2005

Hi George, The simple answer is that if you're company only does business in the US, or South america or Antartica or any where else that you aren't frozen out due to RoHS and the WEEE directives, then going lead free may not make sense. Unless your customers require your assemblies to be lead free. California is I believe the first state to impliment a EU like RoHS directive by 2007. It is under SB20. Also a handful of states are begining to become more stringent on wastes from manufactuers. I guess the reason for not going SN95Ag4 is cost. Figure on paying about $1.00 per percentage of silver in your bar solder. Plus SAC305 is more available. Jay

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