My company is looking at changing packaging on some pass-through parts from Japan to a thin PVC plastic tray. I have been told there may be an environmental issue. So far I have not found any besides dealing with the excess trash, which because the part is pass through my customer will have to deal with that. Does anybody out there know of any other issues?

Welcome to the Cove:bigwave:

Does Japan have any restrictions on the use of PCV?

Are you working on an EMS or do you have one in place or did you just find soething with the word environment in it and think this would be a nice place to ask a question.

As a new visitor you'd be better served to do the introduction thing and let eveyone know who ya are.

I am working on reviving an EMS that has nearly lost its certification. Actually I am just comming back to EHS from the quality side because of our current situation. I have been reading the forum for a while, but have not stayed current because I have not delt with the issues for a while, and now need to catch up.

As far a Japan having an issue with PVC I do not think so but that will be handled on the other side. I just wanted to see if anyone knew of anything I was missing because I am so far behind.

Thanks again for your help.

PVC should not be an issue. All PVC products eliminated hazardous chemicals in 1992. This means that the lead encapsulated stabilizers and modifiers, and cadmium colors as ingredients were replaced with tin or zinc based products. I was a plant manager then, and it cost us a million bucks alone at our plant to make the switch. Ask for a MSDS sheet on the product to make sure it is OK