Testing programme certifies RoHS compliance

Hong Kong-based cable and wire producer LTK Industries has employed Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to establish its compliance with the European Union RoHS Directive through its Restrictive Substances Compliance Solutions (RSCS) Programme.

UL has also helped LTK manage the data required to prove compliance.

"The demands of the RoHS Directive is quite clear but up until now we had no structured way of proving compliance".

"However, UL has gotten involved in helping companies set up audit trails to track compliance requirements", explained Peter Ford, LTK's Director of Business Development in North America and Europe.

He continued: "They've helped us manage compliance internally by providing a database of component information plus third-party testing".

"Furthermore, as the test results are accessible online to all LTK's supply-chain partners, it means LTK customers can use the test data to prove compliance on products using LTK cables and wire".

"This is invaluable as our customers have to show tangible proof that their end products are compliant".

UL's new RSCS initiative is modelled on UL's existing safety assurance programmes.

"Being and demonstrating RoHS compliance is very similar to the procedures associated with safety compliance", explained UL's General Manager for the RSCS Programme.

"We developed a testing regime suitable for RoHS restricted substances and also subsequent inspections at the factory".

"The resultant test and inspection data is then entered into a database of component suppliers".

He said that this process of testing and inspecting was designed to satisfy any requirements the EU governmental bodies may use to assess compliance.

"OEMs need to put in place a process to demonstrate that they took all the necessary steps to become compliant".

"Testing and inspections provide good evidence of compliance".

"In fact, the UK Government have stated that they expect companies to provide evidence in the form of testing to assure they meet RoHS Directive requirements".