Quantcast
Channel: Environment, Health and Safety – IPC Blog
Viewing all 114 articles
Browse latest View live

iTSCi Offers Conflict Minerals Traceability/Due-Diligence Videos Online

0
0

The iTSCi Programme(an ITRI Tin Supply Chain Initiative) is a joint industry project designed to address conflict mineral concerns in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda and other African Great Lakes Region countries.

iTSCI has developed three videos (each in English and French) on conflict minerals traceability, data recording  and due diligence. View videos here.


Filed under: electronics, Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: conflict minerals, DRC, due diligence

Update on Conflict Minerals Regulations

0
0

The SEC has sent notice of an open meeting on August 22, 2012, to vote on the final conflict minerals rule.  See below for meeting notice.

Along with our colleagues at other industry associations, IPC will be making one last lobbying push to emphasize the importance of a phase in period, reasonable treatment of recycling, and other issues of concern.  Additionally, we will continue to move forward with drafting of our due diligence guidance document, participation in the OECD guidance pilot implementation, and other tools to help our members.  Finally, assuming regulations are adopted on August 22, 2012, IPC will plan to hold educational seminars in California, Chicago, and Boston in late October or early November.

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meeting.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, Pub. L. 94-409, that the Securities and Exchange Commission will hold an Open Meeting on Wednesday, August 22, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., in the Auditorium, Room L-002.

The subject matters of the Open Meeting will be:

  • Item 1:      The Commission will consider whether to adopt rules regarding disclosure and reporting obligations with respect to the use of conflict minerals to implement the requirements of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street      Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
  • Item 2:      The Commission will consider whether to adopt rules regarding disclosure and reporting obligations with respect to payments to governments made by resource extraction issuers to implement the requirements of Section 1504 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
  • Item 3:      The Commission will consider rules to eliminate the prohibition against general solicitation and general advertising in securities offerings conducted pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D under the Securities Act and Rule      144A under the Securities Act, as mandated by Section 201(a) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act.

At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in the scheduling of meeting items.

For further information and to ascertain what, if any, matters have been added, deleted or postponed, please contact:

The Office of the Secretary at (202) 551-5400.


Filed under: Compliance, Environment, Health and Safety Tagged: conflict minerals, regulatations, SEC

Importers Now Impacted by China’s Chemical Registration Requirements

0
0

According to an order published last week by China’s State Administration of Work Safety, importers are now required to register hazardous chemicals by August 1, 2012 under the Measures for the Administration of Registration of Hazardous Chemicals. Registration will apply only to China’s Catalogue of Hazardous Chemicals, but the number of chemicals on the list is expected to double from 3,700 to between 7,000 and 10,000 in the next few years.

The new legislation establishes more detailed registration submission requirements. Currently, companies are required to upload their safety data sheets and labels as part of registration. The new measure will require companies to provide more detailed information including physic-chemical data, main usage, hazard properties, steps for safety and emergency response procedures. Manufacturers and importers will also be required to provide classification and labeling information upon registration per the United Nations Globally Harmonized System (GHS) in China, which could include pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements.


Filed under: Compliance, Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: China environmental regulations

IPC Submits Comments on EPA’s Proposed Significant New Use Rule

0
0

Earlier this week, IPC submitted comments to the U.S. EPA on their proposed rule on Certain Polybrominated Diphenylethers; Significant New Use Rule and Test Rule. IPC’s comments address the potential undesirable precedent this rule would set because it expands the U.S. chemicals management policy to include chemical substances and mixtures in articles. In our comments, we encourage EPA, if they deem the regulation of chemical substances and mixtures in articles necessary, to implement a comprehensive policy framework that would be used by EPA when regulating chemicals substances and mixtures in articles.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: chemical substances, chemicals management, U.S. EPA

IPC Issues Letter to SEC on the Treatment of Scrap and Recycled Materials

0
0

Based on concerns raised by IPC’s Solder Products Value Council (SPVC), the Aerospace Industries Association, Information Technology Industry Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and IPC recently wrote to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to restate and emphasize concerns about the treatment of scrap and recycled materials in the forthcoming rule on conflict minerals.

As detailed in the letter, the associations urged the SEC not to undercut the U.S. government’s strong and consistent support for recycling by adding significant regulatory burdens to the use of recycled and scrap conflict minerals.  In addition, the associations asked the SEC not to require a Conflict Minerals Report (CMR) for conflict minerals from recycled or scrap sources.

IPC continues to be a firm advocate for our members’ concerns and an industry leader in helping members to prepare for compliance.

In May, IPC Board Chairman Steve Pudles testified before Congress advocating changes to the draft SEC rule implementing Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act that would lessen the burden on small manufacturing companies and make it easier for companies to more efficiently and effectively comply with the regulations.

In late July, Ed Trackman, IPC vice president of special projects, and Fern Abrams, IPC director of government relations and environmental policy, met with senior SEC staff to highlight the industry’s three most significant concerns: a reasonable phase in period of three to five years, addition of an indeterminate origin category during the phase in period and limited inquiry for recycled and scrap metals. Additionally, IPC encouraged the SEC to craft a final regulation that minimizes the impact on businesses while still achieving the goals of Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act.


Filed under: Compliance, Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations, Uncategorized Tagged: Dodd-Frank Act, recycled materials, SEC

SEC Votes on Final Conflict Minerals Regulation

0
0

This morning, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) voted in favor (3-2) of a final conflict minerals regulation. Overall, the final regulation is an improvement from the proposed rule and addresses 80 percent of the concerns raised by IPC.

Although compliance will still be a significant burden for the industry, we believe the final rule makes reasonable accommodations to lowering the burden while achieving Congressional intent. See our notes from the public meeting held this morning and a fact sheet distributed by the SEC. The SEC has not posted the text of the final regulation, but expects to make it available later this week. Once the final rules are published, IPC will conduct a more comprehensive review and provide additional information.

The final rule provides burden relief to the industry by establishing a unified reporting schedule, creating an indeterminate category, implementing a phase-in period, and removing the requirement that a CMR report is required for any recycled or scrap materials contained in a product. IPC has been a strong advocate for these provisions and are very pleased they are included in the final rules.

  • Following a reasonable country of origin inquiry, companies unable to determine the origin of the conflict minerals in their product may report the source of their conflict minerals as indeterminate for two years. Small companies have four years (the SEC did not define a small company during the meeting).
  • Unlike the proposal which would have required a CMR for all recycled or scrap sources of conflict minerals, companies need only conduct, disclose and describe a reasonable inquiry to verify that the conflict minerals come from scrap or recycled sources.  A CMR is required only if the reasonable inquiry indicates that the source may not be from scrap or recycled sources.
  • CMR reports will be filed as part of a new SD form. The deadline for submitting the SD will be May 31 of each year, with data from January to December reported. The first report will be due May 31, 2014 for data from January 2013-December 2013. The SEC had originally proposed that each company would file according to their fiscal year. By providing a uniform reporting deadline, the burden on the supply chain will be reduced.

At their IPC Midwest meetings tomorrow, IPC’s due diligence and data exchange committees will begin reviewing necessary changes to IPC-developed compliance tools in light of today’s information. We expect to publish a compliance guideline later this year.  Additionally, on Friday we will announce the first of several conflict minerals seminars to be held this fall.  (Editors note – please visit http://www.ipc.org/conflict-minerals for a more detailed compliance summary and information on the fall seminars).

 


Filed under: Compliance, Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: conflict minerals, SEC

California DTSC Extends Comment Period for Proposed Safer Consumer Product Regulation

0
0

Responding to requests from IPC and other associations, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) has announced a 30-day extension for the comment period on their proposed Safer Consumer Product regulation.  The new deadline for submitting comments is October 11, 2012. IPC will file comments on behalf of IPC members.

The proposed regulation was released in late July. A public hearing to discuss the proposed regulation will be held on September 10, 2012.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: DTSC, Safer Consumer Product regulation

FTC Updates Green Marketing Guidelines

0
0

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released on October 1 an updated version of its Green Guides, a guideline document that aims to hold companies to truthful standards in touting the environmental friendliness of their products.

The revised guidelines include changes to the proposed version the FTC circulated to industry organizations including IPC, companies, other government entities and individuals in October 2010.

Among the updates, the guides warn marketers not to make broad, unqualified claims that their products are environmentally friendly or eco-friendly.

The guides (not rules or regulations but general principles) also:

  • Advise companies not to make an unqualified degradable claim for a solid waste product unless they can prove that the entire product or package will completely break down and return to nature within a year after disposal.
  • Caution marketers not to make unqualified degradable claims for items destined for landfills, incinerators or recycling facilities that will not degrade within a year.
  • Clarify guidance on compostable, ozone, recyclable, recycled content and source reduction claims.
  • Outline how marketers can qualify their claims to avoid consumer deception.

For additional information on the Green Guides, the FTC has developed a fact sheet.

View comments that IPC submitted to the FTC regarding proposed changes to the guidelines.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety Tagged: Federal Trade Commission, Green Guides

EPA Requires Manufacturers and Importers of Cadmium-Containing Products to Share Health and Safety Reports

0
0

On December 3, 2012, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published in the Federal Register (77 Fed. Reg. 71561) a final Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) rule that will extend reporting requirements for cadmium or cadmium compounds to those who manufacture or import these substances or products (i.e. “articles”). The final rule does not include a threshold or de minimus, so electronic products will still be subject to the rule even if the level of cadmium or cadmium compounds present in articles meets EU RoHS requirements.

The rule, which was not previously proposed for review or comment, indicates the agency’s continued effort to regulate consumer products on the basis of chemical content.  The EPA relied on a procedural mechanism to issue a final rule without notice nor opportunity for public comment. The rule is expected to affect makers and importers of consumer products including electronics.

The rule would require manufacturers and importers to report “unpublished health and safety studies” to the EPA when the substances have been or are reasonably likely to be incorporated into consumer products. The EPA interprets the definition of health and safety studies to include studies showing “measurable content of cadmium or cadmium compounds in consumer products.” The preamble to the rule includes among the examples of health and safety studies to be provided to the EPA, “data conducted in compliance with ASTM certification standards.” Thus, it may be the case that manufacturers and importers that obtain third-party laboratory test reports to show compliance with ASTM or UL standards could be required to provide the EPA any such test reports that show “any measurable content of cadmium or cadmium compounds.”

Although the preamble to the rule does not list manufacturers and importers of complex consumer products, such as cordless power tools or electronic devices with an on-board cadmium-containing battery, it is likely that these manufacturers will be expected to have an awareness of the chemical content of all of their components and whether there might be available health and safety data concerning the presence of cadmium.

IPC and a number of other manufacturers are planning to write to the EPA asking the agency to reconsider the final rule and clarify the following questions:

  • What sectors are affected by the rule?
  • What is the scope of the term “consumer product”?
  • What kinds of documents are considered to be health and safety studies covered by the final rule?

The EPA also has announced that it will publish a proposed rule extending the scope of these reporting requirements to entities that are processors and distributors of cadmium compounds and articles containing cadmium compounds. If finalized, this rule would further expand the list of affected entities to include any company assembling or distributing cadmium containing consumer electronics.

The new reporting requirements are extremely broad. They represent the EPA’s second recent attempt to extend its regulatory authority under TSCA to include not just chemicals, but also the products containing regulated chemicals, in this case cadmium or cadmium compounds. In July 2012, IPC filed comments opposing the EPA’s proposed TSCA regulation of products containing polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE).


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: cadmium or cadmium compounds, EPA, TSCA

EPA to Withdraw Controversial TSCA Section 8(d) Rule for Cadmium and Cadmium Compounds

0
0

In response to IPC’s advocacy efforts, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will withdraw a controversial Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) rule that would have extended reporting requirements for cadmium or cadmium compounds to those who manufacture or import these substances or products (i.e. “articles). EPA’s actions come on the heels of IPC and several other affected organizations submitting a letter to the agency requesting that the rule be withdrawn. The agency is expected to sign a Federal Register notice announcing this decision no later than January 2, 2013.

The letter, signed by IPC and other associations, highlights how broad the implications of the rule are and that the EPA did not provide the opportunity to comment prior to finalizing the rule. The letter also addressed the ambiguity of the rule and asked the EPA for clarification on several key aspects of the rule. IPC is very pleased the agency listened to our arguments and took the appropriate action by withdrawing the rule.

The rule would have required manufacturers and importers to report unpublished health and safety studies to the EPA when the substances have been or are reasonably likely to be incorporated into consumer products. Since the rule did not include a threshold or de minimus, electronic products would have been subject to the rule even if the level of cadmium or cadmium compounds present in articles meets EU RoHS requirements. More information on the rule can be found at http://blog.ipc.org/2012/12/10/u-s-epa-finalizes-toxic-substances-control-act-tsca-reporting-requirements/


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, IPC Tagged: cadmium or cadmium compounds, EPA, health and safety studies, reporting requirements, TSCA

IPC Standards Committee Reports: Supplier Declaration, EH&S, Conflict Minerals

0
0

These standards committee reports from IPC APEX EXPO 2013 have been compiled to help keep you up to date on IPC standards committee activities. This is the first in a series of reports.

Supplier Declaration

The 2-18 Supplier Declaration Subcommittee discussed the need for an amendment to IPC-1751A, General Requirements for Declaration Process Management.  The amendment will facilitate the harmonization of the IPC-175x family of standards with the IEC 62474 materials declaration standard. The subcommittee will also pursue a restructuring of the 175x family of standards that would make IPC-1751A a repository for all data fields necessary for each sectional standard and allow each sectional standard to pick which data fields are relevant to a specific standard. The subcommittee expects to publish an amendment by the end of 2013.

The 2-18b Materials Declaration Task Group discussed several proposed amendments that would help ensure a seamless transition toward harmonizing  IPC-1752A, Materials Declaration Management and the IEC 62474 Materials Declaration standard. The task group also discussed implementing a requirement for solution providers to undergo a yearly review to ensure they follow the latest released standard, schema and IPC lists of Substance Categories and Exemptions. The task group expects to publish an amendment by the end of 2013.

The 2-18f Packing Materials Declaration Task Group discussed adding a field for declaring recycled content of the packaging material in IPC-1758, Declaration Requirements for Shipping, Pack and Packing Materials. The task group will propose an amendment to the 1758 standard to include the recycled content data field. The task group expects to publish an amendment by the end of 2013.

The 2-18h Conflict Minerals Data Exchange Task Group discussed and responded to comments received during the Final Draft for Industry Review on IPC-1755, Conflict Minerals Data Exchange. Publication of a final IPC-1755 standard is expected in mid-2013.

The 2-18j Laboratory Declaration Task Group discussed several issues raised during the Committee Draft circulation of IPC-1753, Laboratory Report standard. The committee agreed to add an optional data field for sample mass. The task group expects to circulate the next draft of the standard by summer 2013.

Environment, Health and Safety

The 4-30 Environmental, Health and Safety Steering Committee heard several presentations from industry experts. Lee Wilmot, director of EHS at TTM Technologies and 4-30 chair, provided a regulatory update and health and safety update.  The committee also heard a presentation by Greg Gardner, president & CEO of Arche Advisors, on corporate social responsibility auditing. The committee then participated in a roundtable discussion on supply chain management facilitated by Amanda Davidson, program analyst at Freescale, and Michelle Lee, senior staff engineer at Qualcomm. All presentations are available for IPC members at http://www.ipc.org/ehs.

The 4-32 Equipment Safety Subcommittee discussed the continued effort to develop a joint equipment safety standard with SEMI. IPC and SEMI are in the process of signing an MOU to begin working together. Committee members present at the meeting discussed outreach to impacted stakeholders.

The 4-33a Low Halogen Guideline Task Group discussed the recent results of a failed ballot on IPC-4903, A Guideline for Defining “Low-Halogen” Electronic Products. With the exception of one company representative, the consensus among committee members present was to cease working on the guideline. The committee tentatively decided that despite  more than six years of effort, a consensus  guideline is not feasible at this time.

Conflict Minerals

The E-30 Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Committee discussed and resolved comments received during the ballot circulation of IPC-1081, Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Best Practices Guideline. The guideline did not pass the ballot, which is common for IPC standards. The committee directed staff to analyze the legal impacts of publishing the final product as an IPC White Paper in lieu of a guideline. The committee also decided to fully align the guideline with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance document and put all examples specific to the electronics industry in informative Appendices. Publication by the end of 2013 is targeted.

Go to Committee Home Pages for a complete listing of IPC committees, chairs, meeting minutes, document drafts and comments.


Filed under: Committees, Environment, Health and Safety, IPC, Suppliers Tagged: conflict minerals, environment, health and safety, supplier declaration

IPC and SEMI Submit Comments on Draft Methodology for Evaluating Substances under the RoHS Directive

0
0

On April 15, IPC and SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) jointly submitted detailed comments to the European Commission on their proposed methodology for evaluating substances under the RoHS Directive.

IPC and SEMI’s comments provide an alternative approach to evaluating substances based on risk, rather than solely on hazard.

Within the comments, IPC and SEMI made the following recommendations:

  • Simplify the process for determining a substance’s hazard.
  • Use a more robust process for evaluating risk to the environment and populations exposed to the recycling equipment or live near a recycling site.
  • Include a new step to evaluate whether the RoHS Directive is the only viable control for a substance. IPC and SEMI question whether the RoHS Directive is appropriate regulation to address all substances in EEE.
  • Include more robust language to clarify the discussion on evaluation of substances, particularly the evaluation of socio-economic impacts.

IPC’s comments presented to the European Commission are part of the overall review process on the RoHS Directive. In March, IPC submitted comments encouraging the Commission to base substance evaluations and subsequent restrictions on sound science.

For more information, contact Stephanie Castorina, IPC manager of environmental programs, at +1 703-522-0225.


Filed under: Compliance, Environment, Health and Safety, IPC, Regulations Tagged: European Commission, ipc, RoHS directive, SEMI, substance evaluation

IPC Has Successful Meeting with Chinese Government on Cyanide Gold Plating Law

0
0

On May 17, 2013, IPC, along with Information Technology and Industry Council (ITIC) and the United States Information Technology Office (USITO), met with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of the People’s Republic of China to discuss concerns with a recent ruling that will ban cyanide gold plating in China after December 31, 2014.

In February 2013, the NDRC announced a revision of the “Guiding Catalogue for Adjustment Instructions for Cyanide Electrolytic Plating Processes.” Under the revision, which took effect May 1, 2013, gold cyanide plating will not be allowed in China after Dec 31, 2014. Although the revision cites an alternate citrate base gold plating chemistry, many PCB manufacturers and OEMs are concerned that these alternate chemistries have not been tested, used or validated for PCB production.

During the meeting on May 17, which was requested by IPC and other electronics associations earlier this month, the group provided further technical information and data to NDRC on the highly sophisticated technical requirements of gold plating application in the electronics sector and the need of careful evaluation of an alternative. Meeting participants also emphasized treatment and control technology in use worldwide to provide environmental safety for cyanide gold plating in electronics.

NDRC thanked participants for the positive tone of the meeting and asked them to provide more information and data on the technical issues discussed during the meeting.  IPC will continue to coordinate response from technical experts within our member companies.


Filed under: electronics, Environment, Health and Safety, IPC, Regulations Tagged: ban, chemistry, cyanide-gold plating, NDRC

IPC Issues Third Set of Comments on List of Restricted Substances under RoHS2

0
0

On June 10, 2013, IPC submitted its third set of comments on the draft methodology for evaluating substances for restriction under Annex II of the RoHS2 Directive. IPC stressed the importance of evaluating both hazard and exposure characteristics of a substance and potential alternatives prior to restricting a substance. IPC has remained engaged in the development of the methodology for evaluating substances for restriction under the RoHS2 Directive

The stakeholder consultation on the review of substances for restriction under Annex II of the RoHS2 Directive began on January 20, 2013. IPC submitted comments applauding the EU Commission for supporting the use of a scientific methodology and encouraged the Commission to first establish the methodology before asking stakeholders to submit substances they believe are harmful.

However, the first draft methodology released in February 2013, did not reflect the EU Commission’s previously stated goals. On March 11, 2013, IPC submitted comments expressing concern that the draft methodology would not result in the development of a strong, scientifically based methodology for the review of restricted substances under RoHS2, as outlined in Article 6 of the RoHS 2 Directive (2011).

On April 15, 2013, IPC submitted joint technical comments with SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) suggesting the use of an alternative approach to evaluating substances for restriction under the RoHS2 Directive. These comments can be viewed by visiting www.umweltbundesamt.at/rohs2. On April 30, 2013, IPC and SEMI met with the RoHS2 desk officer to discuss those comments.

During the RoHS revisions process, IPC successfully lobbied for the revised Directive to be scientifically based. As a result, the Commission did not implement additional substance restrictions under the revised RoHS Directive. The Commission is required to complete its review of Annex II by July 2014. IPC will remain engaged in the review process. For more information, contact Stephanie Castorina, IPC manager of environmental programs, at +1 703-522-0225.

 


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, IPC, Regulations Tagged: Annex II, EU Commission, RoHS2, scienfically based methodology, substance restrictions

California Law to Change Requirements under Proposition 65

0
0

The California Legislature has proposed a bill that would amend certain provisions of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, more commonly known as “Proposition 65.” The proposed bill needs a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers in order to pass. A vote is expected to happen soon.

The proposed legislation states that a regulation specifying the scientific process and criteria to be applied in making determinations for substances known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity will be adopted by January 1, 2015.

One amendment would make an exemption more difficult to achieve by requiring the responsible party to show:

  • the exposure [of the chemical] poses no significant risk assuming lifetime exposure at the level in question for substances known to the state to cause cancer, and that
  • the exposure [of the chemical] is at or below a level determined by the lead agency to pose no significant risk of reproductive harm based on human studies with an adequate margin of safety for substances known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity. If the lead agency has not made such a determination, no warning shall be required when the exposure will have no observable effect assuming exposure at one thousand (1000) times the level in question.

By December 1, 2015, regulations establishing minimum requirements for a “clear and reasonable” warning must be promulgated. The legislation lists the following requirements for a “clear and reasonable” warning:

  1. Approved warning methods and content specifically for exposures to listed chemicals from consumer products or foods sold via the Internet or at retail establishments, including alternatives to on-product warnings.
  2. Approved warning methods and content for area-specific warnings concerning exposures to listed chemicals.
  3. Approved methods for providing additional information to persons who may be exposed to a listed chemical, including, where feasible, the name of the chemical(s) that the person is being exposed to.
  4. Reasonable transition times for businesses to come into compliance with these regulations.
  5. A process for reviewing and approving existing warnings adopted in court judgments or settlements entered prior to December 1, 2015.
  6. Minimum elements that must be included in all warnings. These elements shall include, but not be limited to, the identification of the health effect(s) for which the chemical(s) is listed, such as cancer, male reproductive toxicity, female reproductive toxicity, or developmental toxicity; information on how a person is being exposed and, where possible, how to avoid or reduce the exposure.

More information on Prop 65 is available.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Regulations Tagged: chemicals, Proposition 65, toxicity

GAO Issues Mixed Report on Dodd-Frank Effectiveness

0
0

On July 18, 2013, the U.S. Government and Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report to Congressional Committees, “SEC CONFLICT MINERALS RULE — Information on Responsible Sourcing and Companies Affected.”

Under Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Act), the GAO was required to report, beginning in 2012 and annually thereafter, on the effectiveness of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) conflict minerals rule in promoting peace and security in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries.

Although the GAO did not directly address the effectiveness of SEC’s conflict minerals disclosure rule because the first disclosures of companies’ use of conflict minerals will not be due to SEC until May 2014, the report did find that:

  • Stakeholder-developed initiatives may facilitate companies’ compliance with the SEC final conflict minerals rule
  • Lack of security, lack of infrastructure, and capacity constraints could undermine companies’ abilities to ensure conflict-free sourcing from the region
  • Of the 278 smelters and refiners identified by the GAO (out of an estimated 500 to be in existence), 63 had a conflict minerals policy publicly available on their websites and 26 of the 63 were designated as “conflict-free” by the EICC and GeSI Conflict Free Smelter Program.

The full report is available at http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/655972.pdf.

IPC continues to play a leadership role on this issue and will remain actively engaged in advocating for our members concerns as they comply with the Act. For more information about IPC and conflict minerals, please visit IPC’s website at www.ipc.org/conflict-minerals.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Government Relations, Regulations Tagged: conflict metals, conflict minerals, Dodd Frank, DRC, EICC, GAO, GeSI, Government Relations, responsible sourcing, SEC

IPC Submits Comments to EU Commission on Draft RoHS Annex 2 Dossiers

0
0

Today, IPC submitted comments to the European Union (EU) Commission on the Draft RoHS Annex 2 Dossiers for HBCCD, DEHP, BBP and DBP. The European Union Commission’s Directorate General (DG) for Environment is currently revising the list of substances restricted under the RoHS Directive. While the current review is limited to HBCDD (a flame retardant) and three phthalates already restricted under REACH, the dossiers are still important as they like will serve as a model for assessments of additional prioritized substances, including TBBPA.

In a separate report, the Commission’s consultants have developed a prioritized list of additional substances to be reviewed for restriction under RoHS, which includes TBBPA, the most common flame retardant in printed boards, as a priority substance. It is likely that additional substance dossiers will be submitted by EU Member States by July 2016, triggering a review of those substances.

Within its comments, IPC expressed concern that the dossiers contain a significant amount of inaccurate information and flawed assumptions. In particular, IPC expressed concern that the reports focused on irrelevant data from uncontrolled waste treatment in developing nations, and assumed that a complete change in the flame retardant and laminate system would have no cost impact for EEE producers.

IPC concluded that the presented dossier for HBCCD is significantly flawed and cannot be used in its present form for a rational, science-based evaluation. Given the flaws presented in this and other dossiers, IPC strongly recommended further development of evaluation criteria and methodology prior to any future substance reviews.

See complete comments.

IPC will continue its advocacy efforts to promote science-based and cost-effective regulations.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, IPC, Regulations Tagged: HBCCD, IPC advocacy efforts, IPC comments, restricted substances list, RoHS2, science-based regulations, TBBPA

Environment Canada Publishes Final Screening Assessment of TBBPA

0
0

In late November, Environment Canada (a department within the Canadian government that implements Canada’s environmental policies and programs) published a final screening assessment of TBBPA, a common flame retardant used in printed boards, and two of its derivatives. The final assessment concludes that none of the substances meet the criteria for regulation under Section 64 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA).

In January, IPC submitted comments to Environment Canada on their draft screening assessment and encouraged the organization to examine current data showing the safety of TBBPA to human health and the environment. As a result, Environment Canada concluded that TBBPA did not meet any hazard criteria under CEPA that would require further action, contrary to their draft report. Environment Canada did note that concerns regarding these substances may arise in the future if new activities occur.

IPC supports Environment Canada’s findings and intends to stay engaged in the process.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, IPC, Regulations Tagged: Canadian Environmental Protection Act, Environment Canada, flame retardant, hazard criteria, IPC comments, TBPPA

Brent Grazman, Vice President for Quality at Viasystems to Testify on Capitol Hill

0
0

Tomorrow, February 4, at 10:00 am ET, Brent Grazman, Vice President for Quality at Viasystems will be testifying on behalf of IPC before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy regarding the efforts to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). To see him testify, visit http://energycommerce.house.gov/hearing/testing-chemicals-and-reporting-and-retention-information-under-tsca-sections-4-and-8. This is a great opportunity for IPC to highlight our support for TSCA reform and, more specifically, encourage a legislative fix to help ease unnecessary reporting requirements on the recycling of byproducts.


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Government Relations, Uncategorized Tagged: Capitol Hill, EHS, environment health and safety, Government, Government Relations, testimony, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)

IPC Government Relations Committee Member Testifies on EPA Chemicals Regulations

0
0

On Tuesday, February 4, 2014, Dr. Brent Grazman, vice president of quality for Viasystems, testified before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy. The subcommittee, which is considering reform of the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), held the hearing to better understand concerns with current chemicals laws and regulations under TSCA.

Dr. Grazman, who is a member of the IPC Government Relations Committee, spoke on behalf of IPC as well as Viasystems. His testimony highlighted industry concerns that EPA’s current implementation of TSCA treats byproducts as new chemicals if they are sent for recycling. This narrow interpretation is “burdensome, unnecessary, and actually discourage recycling,” according to Dr. Grazman. His testimony also highlighted industry concerns about the regulation of articles and encouraged Congress to reform TSCA in a way that directs the EPA to focus regulation on substances that exhibit the greatest hazards, and those that pose the greatest exposure to consumers.

IPC, which has long encouraged EPA to reconsider its TSCA policies, will continue working with Congress and EPA to effect reform.

 


Filed under: Environment, Health and Safety, Government Relations, IPC Tagged: Brent Grazman, byproducts, EPA Chemicals Regulations, testimony, Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Viewing all 114 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images