Jason Sandefur

How do you know if your products are RoHS compliant?
That was the question on distributors” minds at a recent Los Angeles Fastener Association dinner meeting.
RoHS the European Union”s “Restriction of Hazardous Sub-stances” ban on hexavalent chromium and five other carcinogens for use in electrical equipement is a heavy topic in the fastener industry.
With a July 1, 2006, deadline bearing down, a LAFA panel discussion found that more questions exist than answers on the issue.
Mark Larson of State Industrial Supply said in making his warehouse RoHS compliant, he discovered that enforcement standards are lacking. Larson said he is still unsure how to ensure product compliance.
“There”s no DIN spec on the EU directive, so they”re kind of wondering what to do themselves,” Larson explained.
Spot-checking will be a big problem to face in the next phase of RoHS compliance, Larson stated.
Duncan Bolt”s Steve Somers said the Santa Fe Springs, CA-based fastener supplier has limited exposure to RoHS, but admitted that clear explanations are hard to find.
“There”s not one good source of information,” Somers asserted.
Jim Riley of Stork Materials Testing & Inspection said a few different tests have been developed to check for hex chrome, but the EU has not identified which test is acceptable to ensure RoHS compliance.
ASTM D6492 is a generally accepted spot test for hex chrome, but one LAFA member pointed out that sealing the part a necessary step when using hex chrome alternatives such as trivalent chromium renders that particular test ineffective.
The Truth About Trivalents
Andy Scheer of Burbank Plating Service sees RoHS issues come across his desk daily.
One popular alternative to hex chrome is trivalent chromium, which Scheer said does a “pretty good” job of resisting corrosion. But making the switch has proven a challenge for many.
As Scheer explained, trivalents don”t “self-heal” like hex chrome, which automatically reacts to cover a blemish on a part.
A more persistent issue with trivalents has come down to cosmetics hex chrome naturally produced rich black and yellow hues that many customers have come to demand. Scheer said trying to match the appearance with trivalents is tricky.
“It”s a struggle to get black and yellow to look like they used to,” Scheer noted.
Platers can dye parts to appear similar to their hex chrome counterparts; however, the step adds expense without increasing corrosion resistance. Parts treated with trivalents have to be sealed in order to perform well.
“There are certain compromises on aesthetics that people need to accept,” Scheer emphasized.
Scheer said he discourages dyeing unless it”s essential.
“It”s like an Easter egg dye, it comes off on everything,” he explained.
Scheer said his company has a dedicated production line for trivalents to guard against cross-contamination. But he stressed that trust remains a key element of RoHS compliance.
“There are a lot of things in plating that you can”t see,” he stated.
How To Handle Existing Inventory
Scheer said many companies are paying to strip and replate their inventory to meet RoHS.
Larson said importing product that is already RoHS compliant has about a 6% cost increase – much less than that cost to strip & replate parts.
The panelists agreed that as the deadline approaches, the situation likely becomes more intense as companies demand standards.
“Start being RoHS compliant if you”re not already,” Larson advised. \ �2005 FastenerNews.com