Lead-free soldering options for electronics and cars

The European Union has set strict requirements on the use of hazardous substances in the electronics sector as well as the car (parts) industry. For the electronics sector, electronic products and their components should be lead-free from 1 July 2006 onwards. Directive 2002/95/EC (ROHS) and Directive 2002/96/EC (WEEE) ban the use of certain hazardous substances. In Directive 2000/53/EC on the end-of-life of vehicles, the EU lays down that materials and components of vehicles should not contain some specific heavy metals, including lead, from 1 July 2003 onwards.

In this document you can read how both industries are dealing with the ban on lead, mainly used as soldering substances and therefore an important substances used in these industries. Please see the external links for more information and look at the EU legislation for the specific requirements.