The phrase 'Lead-Free' has come into common usage within the electronics industry; generally speaking, when we refer to a product or process as being 'Lead-Free' what we actually mean is that the product complies with the requirements of two separate pieces of European legislation which will come into force in mid 2006.

The two pieces of legislation are the WEEE Directive and the RoHS Directive. These two pieces of legislation have distinct and different implications and yet have an overlap. For the latest information on the legislation and its implications, you are advised to visit the Department of Trade and Industry web pages relating to Sustainable Development and Environment.

At AWS, we have implemented a carefully measured and planned approach to the introduction of new processes and targeted to ensure our full compliance with the legislation before the mid 2006 deadline.

AWS Policy

The AWS policy is:

• AWS Electronics are committed to converting all products (except where exemptions apply) to lead-free status.
• AWS Electronics have the responsibility to ensure that its soldering processes meet the requirements for processing qualified lead-free components to international standards.
• It is AWS Electronics' policy that customers have the responsibility to ensure that the components specified on their Bills of Material are qualified as lead-free and can be reliably processed using the temperatures necessary for lead-free soldering.