When you hear ICP you might think of the American hip hop duo know as the Insane Clown Posse, but rest assured we are talking about Inductively Coupled Plasma Testing (ICP Testing). While the band might bring a more colorful conversation; it will not aid you in RoHS or REACH compliance. REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) and RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) are the driving for force of Inductive Couple Plasma testing, otherwise … [Read more...]
Get the Lead Out With RoHS
"Did you eat a lot of paint chips when you were a kid?" Thanks to REACH and RoHS we can no longer use lead-based products as a fun punch line in a movie. If a product has heavy metals in it, then the EU doesn’t want it, and if the EU doesn't want it then you better make sure your products don't contain it. The Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS) does share some similarities with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), including … [Read more...]
REACHing into Environmental Compliance
Doing business today isn't quite like it was back in the 80's. Sparkling teeth and x-ray vision shouldn't be a side effect of a customer using your product. This, of course, is said in jest, but no longer do we sell only a product; but a product and physical, chemical, and electrical compliance data. Much like the Dodd-Frank Act seeks to regulate the use of Conflict Minerals in products, the European Union addresses the use of harmful chemical substances and their potential impacts on users … [Read more...]
Improving Your Supply Chain with Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)
If you manufacture overseas and ship into the U.S.A, you may have a longer waiting time in Customs than you would prefer. Some of this waiting time could be eliminated by becoming part of the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), one layer of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A faster lane through Customs is something that could make or break a due date on some orders, and by being C-TPAT validated it could just help you hit that order due date by receiving a … [Read more...]
Doing Business Under International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR)
Perhaps the name sounds intimidating, or maybe it is the idea of signing up for government regulation that scares some businesses away from registration under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Regardless of the reason, if you are a business that manufactures, exports defense articles, or furnishes defense services then you are required to be registered. That said, what is ITAR? ITAR is the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, and manages military specific … [Read more...]
How Samtec Prevents Counterfeit Parts
Counterfeit parts and the issues posed by them are a growing concern throughout the electronic industry. However, counterfeit products are nothing new when it comes to consumer goods, and for many years, in any large city, traveling merchants have sold everything from purses to sunglasses on every street corner. While this might not be as large of a security / performance threat as posed by counterfeit electronic parts to their users, it does contribute to the growing value of … [Read more...]
The Dodd-Frank Act and Conflict Minerals
Most people are aware of “Blood Diamonds” mainly due to the 2006 movie “Blood Diamond” starring Leonardo DiCaprio, but you may not be familiar with section 1502 for the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act concerning Conflict Minerals. Perhaps you are curious as to what blood diamonds and conflict minerals have in common, and that would be that both are used to finance conflict within the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and specified adjoining countries (Angola, … [Read more...]