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Solectron, Raven Beta Test IPC RoHS Lead-free Certification Program
December 31, 1969 |Estimated reading time: 1 minute
When the IPC approached technical content experts with the idea of developing a lead-free process certification program, all were eager to join, said John D. Kania, director of government relations/industry programs. "Companies volunteered their own costs to do this for the industry," said Kania. The IPC Certification for RoHS Lead-free Electronics Assembly Process Capability Program is an in-depth audit that helps EMS firms and OEMs certify that their facilities are capable of producing products that meet the lead-free requirements of the EU's RoHS Directive.
The Blue Ribbon Committee of experts within the EMS, OEM, and supplier realms worked together to develop the program, which consists of 15 technical categories that mirror the assembly process -- equipment capability and compatibility, employee training, materials compatibility, component handling, materials declaration, and documentation procedures. Companies helped develop the program's 316-question audit. The audit portion is also comprised of an on-site review by an IPC-trained auditor. Upon passing both the question portion and the on-site audits, companies can confirm lead-free process capabilities.
The IPC had to take into account the fact that smaller companies do not always have the same available resources as Tier 1 companies. With this in mind, they developed questions were developed carefully to achieve fairness to all participants. Questions are open to interpretation of the companies, stated Kania, and were developed within three levels of importance. Level three questions are the most critical for a company to meet; therefore, they must pass 100% of all level three questions. Level one and two questions address issues that companies should be doing, but not all are critical. Companies must pass 50% of level one and two questions.
The IPC is beta testing this program at two facilities: Solectron in Charlotte, N.C., and Raven Industries, Sioux Falls, N.D. for the first audits. They expect the first-round of tests to be finished by April. They're still developing the cost structure for this program and are trying to keep it cost effective for all companies, but costly enough to have a value to participants.