With U.S. legislation on hazardous substances in electronics already in place and similar laws set to take effect in China and Europe shortly, how can electrical and electronic manufacturers be sure that their products comply? A new specification adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components specifies the technical requirements that manufacturers must meet to ensure that their products conform to the new limits. The IECQ now offers global certification for the electronics industry and is searching for five companies to be the first in the United States registered to it.

The Hazardous Substance Free specification was developed by the Electronic Component Certification Board—the IECQ’s U.S. representative—and the electronic component sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance. It’s entitled “Electrical and Electronics Components and Products Hazardous Substance Free Standard and Requirements,” commonly EIA/ECCB-954.

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