It’s Only Common Sense: Selling to Today's Generation of Buyers
Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Believe in Better'
The Big Picture: Our Big ‘Why’ in the Age of AI
Proposed IEC Standard on Halogen-Free Raises Concerns
July 10, 2017 | IPCEstimated reading time: 1 minute
Like the game Whack-a-Mole, the idea of a standard for low-halogen electronics keeps popping up. Originally, proposed as an IPC specification of chlorine and bromine in copper-clad laminates, IEC 61249-2-21 was established many years ago to define FR-4 products for halogen-free.
Then about a decade ago, concerns about certain toxic bromine-containing flame-retardants (polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and concerns regarding incomplete combustion of PVC and bromine-containing plastics in electronics led to the passage of the EU WEEE Regulation and RoHS Directive which banned the toxic substances and mandated appropriate handling of waste electronics.
Despite the removal of any toxic halogen-containing compounds from the electronics supply chain, IPC and JEDEC members began discussions about the development of a standard for low halogen electronics. IPC, with its broad membership and open voting processes, never approved the low halogen standard, which was deemed to be a marketing tool posing as an environmental standard. JEDEC, with its narrower membership, went ahead and passed and published "Definition of 'Low Halogen' for Electronic Products” in 2015.
In 2016, the JEDEC standard was temporarily (up to six years) approved by IEC TC 111 (environmental standardization committee) as an IEC publicly available specification (PAS), despite the broad questions that were raised regarding technical validity. Revision and permanent adoption of the standard is now being considered by TC 111. The proposed revision would define electronics as “Low Halogen” when they “contain less than 0,9% (by mass) total elemental halogen content (F+Cl+Br+I) and meet the thresholds of all halogenated substances in IEC 91 62474 database." The proposed standard is concerning not just because of the content of the proposal, but by the labeling of low halogen as an environmental standard.
The standard is in the Committee Draft Phase which means it is being circulated for comments to all IEC TC111 member countries. The deadline for comment is September 15, 2017. If you are concerned, contact your country’s IEC National Committee and the IEC TC111 representatives.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Compal Announces Completion of New Automotive Electronics Facility in Poland, Signaling Strategic Growth in Europe
06/30/2025 | Compal Electronics Inc.Compal Electronics is proud to announce the completion of Phase One of its new manufacturing facility in Czeladź, Silesian Voivodeship, Poland, marking a major milestone in its strategic expansion into the European automotive electronics market.
Leadership Development Continues at Incap Slovakia
06/30/2025 | IncapIncap Slovakia has launched the first leadership development training of 2025 as part of its ongoing Team Leaders Academy programme.
Flexible Electronics Market to Reach $66.9 Billion by 2032, Growing at a CAGR of 9.2% from 2025
06/30/2025 | PRNewswireThe flexible electronics market is projected to reach $66.9 billion by 2032, up from an estimated $38.4 billion in 2025, growing at a robust CAGR of 9.2% during the forecast period.
Incap Estonia Recognized with Second Golden Label for Responsible Business
06/27/2025 | IncapIncap Electronics Estonia has been awarded a golden label by the Responsible Business Forum in Estonia for the second time. The responsible business label is a prestigious symbol in Estonia that identifies entrepreneurs and organisations that demonstrate excellence in environmental, social, and economic responsibility.
TRI Unveils New Multi-Camera AOI, TR7500 SIII Ultra
06/27/2025 | TRITest Research, Inc. (TRI), the leading test and inspection systems provider for the electronics manufacturing industry, proudly introduces the new TR7500 SIII Ultra.