Environment

RoHS stands for Restriction of Hazardous Substances. Originated in the European Union as Directive 2002/95/EC, it restricts the use of specific hazardous materials found in electrical and electronic products.
On 2nd January 2013, Directive 2002/95/EC is repealed by Directive 2011/65/EU known as the recast of the RoHS Directive or as the RoHS 2 Directive.
In 2015, Directive 2015/863, known as RoHS 3, was published by the EU expanding the scope of the actual Directive by adding 4 additional restricted substances.

Yes. A list of exemptions for the use of the above substances in specific items is given in Annexes III and IV of Directive 2011/65/EU.

Exemptions applied to LEMO:

Lead (Pb):

0.35 % in steel alloy (exemption 6a – annexe III RoHS)
0.4 % in aluminium alloys (exemption 6b – annexe III RoHS)
4 % in copper alloys (exemption 6c – annexe III RoHS)

Due to the wide variation in content and format request forms, LEMO adopted its own forms in response to requests for regulatory information. If part number is specified by the Customer, LEMO can supply a COC with mention of the LEMO part number, RoHS compliance status and number of exemption (if applicable). Please submit your request using your usual communication channel (subsidiary, distributor).

European regulation N° 1907/2006, adopted in December 2006, that establishes a single integrated system for the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemical substances in the European Union. It applies to all areas of activity.

Lead is a component of bronze, copper alloys and solder alloys. This substance may be present at a concentration greater than 0.1% w / w in ours articles (applications covered by EU RoHS 2 exemptions).

LEMO is committed to work on the reduction or removal of this identified SVHC whenever it is possible and to supply sufficient information to allow safe use of the substance.

Due to the wide variation in content and format request forms, LEMO adopted its own forms in response to requests for regulatory information. LEMO can provide upon request Material Declarations on LEMO template for some specific products. Please submit your request using your usual communication channel (subsidiary, distributor).

The substances restricted under RoHS are lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and four different phthalates (DEHP, BBP, BBP, DIBP).

Maximum Concentration Value (MCVs) are limits set by the European Commission for each RoHS-restricted substance. The limits apply to each "homogeneous material" making up a product.

The MCVs are as follows: 0.1% by weight maximum for Pb, Hg, Cr6+, PBBs, PBDEs and phthalate.

0.01% by weight maximum for Cd

A homogeneous material is either a material with a uniform composition throughout or a material that consists of a combination of materials, that cannot be disjointed or separated into different materials by mechanical actions such as unscrewing, cutting, crushing, grinding or abrasive processes.

Under REACH, the most hazardous substances on the market are gradually being added to a list known as the 'Candidate List,' with the view of ensuring their use is correctly controlled, and that safer alternatives are found as soon as possible. The substances on this list are termed 'Substances of Very High Concern' (SVHCs).
Legally nothing prohibits it to have these substances in the product, but there is a duty to inform about the name of the molecule and ways to protect from it, within a period of 45 days after receiving the customer request.
The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) publishes the SVHC list on its webpage: (http://echa.europa.eu/web/guest/candidate-list-table).

Article 33 requires that any supplier of an article in the EU containing SVHCs above the threshold of 0.1% weight by weight must provide sufficient information to the customer to allow safe use of the article.

As common elements, both RoHS and REACH constrain the use of substances (prohibition or restriction on the use) and both are European regulations applicable within EEA (European Economic Area countries).
Regarding the most important differences:
•      REACH regulates lifecycle of all substances in all kinds of products. RoHS regulates the use of a very limited number of substances only in electrical and electronical devices.
•      Reference basis for substance content restriction: REACH -> % by weight of a part / RoHS -> % by weight of a homogenous material

Sony designates suppliers that cooperate in the production of environmentally sensitive products as Green Partners. Sony established the "Sony Green Partner Standards" in 2001 with the aim of encouraging suppliers to introduce Green Partner environmental management systems.
LEMO is committed to follow the "Green Partner Environmental Quality Approval Program" where the controlled substances are described. This document (SS-00259) regroups REACH and RoHS and other National regulations from different countries.
Under this commitment LEMO performs regular controls of all suppliers, ICP tests, Audits, self-evaluation and staff training, among others.