With the introduction and implementation of ROHS requirements in EU countries, Asentria has taken the steps to make its products available in ROHS-compliant versions. Asentria Environmental Policy is the foundation of all of our waste reduction initiatives. We strive to be environmentally responsible by developing safe, efficient, and environmentally conscious products, manufacturing processes, and corporate energy use and recycling goals. Asentria has initiated this Environmental Policy to protect the environment and to conduct its operations in the electronics manufacturing services (EMS) industry using sound management practices. One of the major objectives of this policy is to comply with, or exceed all applicable and anticipated environmental Legislation and Regulations.
In January 2003, the European Union adopted the Directive on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment [Directive 2002/95/EC] (the “RoHS Directive”) and the Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment [Directive 2002/96/EC] (the “WEEE Directive”). The objective of these Directives is the protection of human health, and the environmentally sound recovery and disposal of WEEE. There is also a focus on enforcing the proper risk assessment in design cycles, and on improving the environmental performance and life cycle management of the electronics industry as a whole. The main provisions of the WEEE Directive state that from August 13, 2005, producers are required to finance the collection, treatment, recycling and recovery of all WEEE. Pursuant to the RoHS Directive, as of July 1, 2006, EEE (Electrical and Electronic Equipment) may no longer be sold in the EU (European Union) if it contains lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls and polybrominated diphenyl ether, subject to certain limited exemptions.
Asentria’s Environmental Commitment
Anticipating the adoption of the WEEE and RoHS Directives within the EU and in advance of the deadlines set forth in these directives, Asentria formed a team to create and execute a program that ensures its products comply with the requirements of the Directives. Based on our dialogue with suppliers and customers, we have a clear understanding of the immense impact of RoHS and WEEE on our customers’ business model and technical processes. Our intent is to have a responsive, consistent approach to compliance across Asentria products.
Business Processes
Complete segregation of RoHS vs non-RoHS inventory has been implemented as a control strategy. In support of this revised inventory control strategy new part numbering schemes and databases have been created and physical materials labeling processes are implemented. Receiving inspection includes random testing of components and materials for compliance to environmental requirements. Likewise, in-process inventory is labeled and segregated to RoHS and non-RoHS workstations through production lines and documentation provides material tracking and audit trail.
Supply Chain Management
A priority is to obtain and maintain a library of up-to-date certificates of compliance from all levels of the supply chain in order to validate that materials and workmanship standards meet the directive’s requirements. Audits of vendor RoHS implementation plans, documentation and facilities against key compliance criteria are performed to understand our supplier’s state of readiness. Non-conformance corrective actions are implemented to all aspects of the supply chain guarantee compliance.
