RoHS test - How many are enough

[darkafar]

One customer sent us a Sony SS-00259, wanting us to test our product to show compliance. Because Sony is not our only customer, we want to make the test result meet all potential Hazardous substances prohibition regulations. My boss indicated me to look for a cheap test institute. I contacted some, and they charged according to the items tested. I looked up RoHS regulation, only found six substances needing to be tested. However my boss told me there were hundred of substances needing to be tested. Was my boss wrong? Or I was wrong?

[Stephanie]

Hi,

Just sharing with you on some information as my company has been awarded as "Sony Green Partner" for 3 years.

Yes, basically there are 6 banned substances that are restricted under RoHS directive (4 heavy metals: Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr6+ and 2 brominated organic compounds: PBB & PBDE) which will be required by SONY and most customers. However, bear in mind that the allowable concentration for Sony standard (SS-00259) is much more stringent than RoHS limitation, for instance: Cd < 5 ppm (for plastics) and Cd < 100 ppm (RoHS). FYI, we are also having some other standards & requirements from customers who have their own green procurement or environmental controlled substances, so far we still stick the SONY one.

Prepare to send the samples for ICP-AES measurement tests (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emmission Spectroscopy)* because you will be asked to show the evidence of compliance. Besides, you might require to submit some additional documents such as MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), Sony specified certificate of non-use, etc, as and when is required by SONY.

I hope the above information will help you for better preparation to work with SONY.

*Others: ICP-OES, AAS, ICP-MS

Regards,
Steph

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Stephanie

Hi,

Just sharing with you on some information as my company has been awarded as "Sony Green Partner" for 3 years.

Yes, basically there are 6 banned substances that are restricted under RoHS directive (4 heavy metals: Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr6+ and 2 brominated organic compounds: PBB & PBDE) which will be required by SONY and most customers. However, bear in mind that the allowable concentration for Sony standard (SS-00259) is much more stringent than RoHS limitation, for instance: Cd < 5 ppm (for plastics) and Cd < 100 ppm (RoHS). FYI, we are also having some other standards & requirements from customers who have their own green procurement or environmental controlled substances, so far we still stick the SONY one.

Prepare to send the samples for ICP-AES measurement tests (Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emmission Spectroscopy)* because you will be asked to show the evidence of compliance. Besides, you might require to submit some additional documents such as MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), Sony specified certificate of non-use, etc, as and when is required by SONY.

I hope the above information will help you for better preparation to work with SONY.

*Others: ICP-OES, AAS, ICP-MS

Regards,
Steph

Very imformative and educational Stephanie. I enjoy reading it.

Coury Ferguson