Manufacturers will no longer have to suffer the Japanese Green Procurement Survey Standardization Initiative (JGPSSI) form, according to a note posted on the JGPSSI Webpage. Instead, JGPSSI will dissolve, and JIG-101 — a guide for consistent materials declaration — will no longer be updated and maintained. JIG-101 (the latest and final version is 4.1) is…
Velocity, the supply-chain-focused section of EBN sponsored by {complink 577|Avnet Inc.}, is a mere three weeks old, but it is already drawing kudos from observers for helping to direct attention to critical issues affecting all companies involved in the design, manufacture, sales, and support of electronic equipment. In July, writers and contributors to Velocity explored…
Late last week, the California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) issued a formal draft (PDF) of its Safer Consumer Products (SCP) regulation for comment. (See: Tracking Calif. Consumer Products Proposal.) The department will accept comments for 45 days. Similar in concept to the EU's REACH, the SCP regulation would require product manufacturers, importers, and…
I'm on my way to Bangalore, India, to participate in a workshop and seminar for India environmental professionals. One of my duties will be to give a presentation on the electronic waste (e-waste) problem and the reasons for India's new restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) and waste electrical and electronic waste (WEEE) rules. Consumer electronics…
Just over a week ago, {complink 379|Apple Inc.} pulled out of EPEAT, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool certification system. The system gives computers, notebooks, and monitors (and soon imaging equipment and TVs) bronze, silver, or gold ratings based on required and optional criteria. Apple took its registered products off the registry and dropped out…
PHOENIX — Avnet Electronics Marketing Americas, a business region of Avnet, Inc., (NYSE: AVT) today announced the opening of its Chandler, Ariz. lighting lab, enabling customers the ability to test and measure a wide range of LED (light emitting diode) applications. Watch a video showing the features of the newly opened Avnet LightLab. “The demand…
{complink 379|Apple Inc.} has created yet another public policy stir, this time by dropping out of an environmental registry called the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT). EPEAT breaks down electronics products and assigns them a green rating. Apple hasn't disclosed why it has asked EPEAT to stop rating its products. Apple's move has raised…
BANNOCKBURN, Ill. — Association Connecting Electronics Industries® has released IPC-1758, Declaration Requirements for Shipping, Pack and Packing Materials. This standard establishes the requirements for the exchange of information on the materials used to protect products during shipment between supply chain partners. IPC-1758 is one of several in a series of IPC-175x data exchange standards that…
After writing a number of articles about the European Union's Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and other regulatory compliance issues, I have become increasingly aware that Europe is at least 10 years ahead of the United States in demonstrating and mandating concern for the safety and health of its people. I also…
The answer to the question in the headline, it turns out, is many. So many, in fact, that the consensus is to just give up. Your system is vulnerable. Someone, somewhere, can get into your system as you're reading this, turn on your printer, turn on your camera, snap a picture of you, draw a…