Big changes are coming on 1 July 2006 for electrical and electronics production. All member states are required to implement the new 'lead-free' EU directives by this date. Heavy metals used in device manufacturing, including lead, cadmium, mercury, and chromium VI as well as bromine-containing flameproof materials polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, must be completely substituted.
The new Electrical and Electronic Devices Act (ElektroG) took effect on 24 March 2005, therefore transposing two European directives (RoHS/WEEE) into German law. Phoenix Contact has reacted to these legislative requirements at an early stage and has already converted the majority of its products.
In electromechanics, almost all the products from the Combicon plug connector range as well as two thirds of the universal and installation line terminals already fulfil the requirements of the EU directives.
With regard to electronic products, the purchasing, production, logistics, development, marketing, and sales divisions are currently dealing with the successive implementation. The various lead-free solder processes have already been successfully adapted. Product conversion is in some cases hindered by the fact that, so far, only 80% of the components used have been modified. In order to close resulting gaps in product structures, second source components are adapted or discontinued in coordination with the customer.
Reinstatement opportunity for ECSA registration
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In 2023 the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) announced a special opportunity for engineers in South Africa to reinstate their registration status if it had been cancelled. This exclusive offer is available until the end of August 2024.
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Over 200 learners at Monene Primary School in rural Limpopo have received their own containerised library. This is the fifteenth library since 2011, provided by Hytec South Africa and the Nelson Mandela School Library Project to schools across the country.
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I couldn’t resist watching The World Industrial Reporter’s video on Ten Scientists Killed By Their Own Experiments. Some of them would have deserved the Darwin Award for taking themselves out of the ...
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