As you are aware the Restrictions on Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
directive requires by July of 2006, manufacturers in the
European Union, and anyone supplying to the E.U. to phase out
Lead, Mercury, Cadmium, and Hexavalent Chromium materials from
electronic products. Component manufacturers have already
started to phase out the lead in parts to conform to the
European Directive. Probe has become aware of some issues that
may affect your production, regardless of whether or not your
product must comply with the RoHS directive:
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Manufacturers are changing part numbers as they manufacture RoHS
compliant parts. This will impact your Bill of Materials.
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Some Manufacturers are not changing their part numbers, but have
ALREADY BEGUN manufacturing RoHS compliant parts under the same
part number. Please note that RoHS compliant parts may already
be in your product, and not all RoHS compliant parts have 100%
performance compatibility.
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Some Manufacturers are not changing their product to meet the
RoHS requirements, so you must therefore change your design if
these components affect you.
As a result of the above, procurement has already seen
allocation and lead-time increase across the board, which can
impact your delivery.
To be pro-active rather than reactive, Probe recommends that all
parts within your BOM be reviewed and up-dated to reflect any
changes in part numbers, assign new part numbers as required,
and research appropriate crosses for form and functionality as
needed. Probe’s component engineer can provide this service to
customers who are unable to devote time or resources internally.
RoHS is here, and affecting global supply chains. To avoid major
production delays and shortages, we urge you to act now. Please
contact us if we can be of assistance.
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