REACH restrictions – out of the frying pan into the fire
A core objective of the REACH regulation is to phase out dangerous substances. 15 substances are already on the candidate list of substances of very high concern (SVHCs) of which 7 are proposed for authorisation (meaning these can only be used in certain defined applications). One of these 7 is the commonly used plasticiser dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

DBP is used in PVC, fibreglass, rubbers, adhesives, paints, inks and lacquers. Its use has declined over recent years because it is a reproductive toxin and the most frequently used substitute is di-isobutyl phthalate. However, di-isobutyl phthalate is itself now being proposed for classification as an SVHC.

Keep up to date on substance restrictions –RE4view >>>

More information on REACH and alternative substances >>>

Eco-design now mandatory for many products
The purpose of the eco-design directive is to reduce the environmental impact of Energy using Products. Since the beginning of 2009, regulations have begun to emerge and are already adopted for Standby and off-mode losses of office IT and consumer equipment, External power supplies, some types of lighting, and simple set top boxes for TV. Regulations are impending for televisions, electric motors, circulators in buildings, and domestic refrigerators, freezers and washing machines. Mandatory requirements for all of these products will enter force beginning September 2009 and stretching into 2010.

Features

Diagnosing failures in MOSFETs
MOSFETs have become extremely useful as high power electronic switches in a range of applications, including power supplies and motor control. While the cause of any failure may appear very similar externally, significant differences will exist internally which can help determine the root cause.

Insurance claims and litigation – harnessing failure analysis to define responsibility and costs
Failures in electronic and electrical equipment can lead to expensive claims. The suspect parts may not be costly in themselves but the consequences of the failure may be very serious. Methodical examination of the evidence, application of appropriate analytical techniques and test, and expert interpretation can be used to determine the cause of failure, responsibility and quantify costs.

Conference and workshop – Sustainable Design: Designing Sustainable Products and Services

Date: 15-16 June, 2009 – venue CBI Conference Centre, London, UK

How can design improve the sustainability of your products and services whilst reducing costs? Are you aware of practical measures that can make a difference? This conference will inform you about how standards can help improve your design processes and weather the storm in these increasingly difficult market conditions. It will also provide you with good practice guidance from organizations that are leading the way in sustainable design implementation. The conference will feature breakout groups and discussion sessions focusing on product design, service design, packaging design, communications/graphic design.

You will leave this BSI conference with a clearer idea of how sustainable design can be implemented and improved within your organization. The conference features speakers and case studies from organizations including the Centre for Sustainable Design, the Design Council, Envirowise, the Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment, and Boots UK Limited.

Call BSI on +44 (0)20 8996 9001 and quote reference CTBCM-COM to attract a 10% discount off your conference package price. The conference price includes a complimentary copy of BS 8887-1:2006 “Design for manufacture, assembly, disassembly and end-of-life processing (MADE). General concepts, process and requirements”, worth £158.

Course - How to Comply with the Eco-design or Energy using Products (EuP) Directive

Date: 17 June 2009 - venue Leatherhead, UK.

The European Community is pushing forward with a raft of new regulations setting out mandatory minimum performance targets for many tens of energy using products ranging from lighting to set top boxes, boilers to transformers, IT systems to standby power.

Mandatory targets affecting the ability to sell products in the EuP will begin to arise from September 2009.

This course explains what the status of regulation is, the requirements which arise and how to respond. It is particular suitable for those involved in product design, regulatory compliance, quality assurance, and procurement. The emphasis is on providing practical guidance and includes exercises and group discussion. A new special feature of this course is customisation of the programme in the “Product Clinic” to focus on products of specific interest to the course delegates.

Conference – Electrical and Electronic Equipment and the Environment - meeting the technical and regulatory challenges

Date: 17-18 November 2009 - venue, Heathrow, UK.

Our annual conference is unique in covering all environmental regulatory compliance issues relevant to electrical and electronic products. All areas of compliance will be subject to changes of major significance to manufacturers and their supply chain in 2009/10. WEEE and RoHS are being recast, the eco-design directive is spawning many implementing regulations, and REACH continues to present increasing challenges for communication and obsolescence as more substances of very high concern are defined as well as new legislation in USA and elsewhere. As ever, we are pleased to say we will be supported by an eminent panel of speakers from government policy makers through technical experts to leading industrialists and including speakers on global developments. The programme already includes speakers BERR, DEFRA, Öko Institut, and ECHA.