Safety and Compliance

The directive and subsequent amendments exempt certain applications. In addition, the directive’s scope is limited to specific types of electrical and electronic equipment.

During February 2006, a number of Chinese government agencies published Management Methods for Controlling Pollution by Electronic Information Products, which became widely known as China RoHS. The rules took effect March 1, 2007.

China RoHS regulates the same substances as EU RoHS. Since China RoHS has no legal connection to EU requirements, products must be managed to meet the specific requirements of the Chinese regulations. China RoHS sets forth labeling and disclosure requirements not part of EU RoHS. The Chinese rules also require pre-market certification and place restrictions on substances in specific product groups, based on their listing in a product catalog.

The products Advanced Energy produce are not listed in the product catalog. Advanced Energy complies with China RoHS labeling and disclosure requirements for products imported into China and new products.

Product and Component Segregation

Advanced Energy reserves a unique class of part numbers for RoHS-compliant parts and assemblies so everyone in our supply chain, factories, and service centers can readily identify them. To prevent cross-contamination, any area where RoHS-compliant work is performed, including engineering, production, and service, has a dedicated work surface, clear labeling, such as signs and floor tape, and dedicated tools.

Verification

Advanced Energy verifies the absence of regulated substances for RoHS-designated parts and assemblies with a portable x-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer. XRF analysis is conducted for selected parts as an element of Advanced Energy’s incoming inspection procedures for received materials.

Training

Elimination of tin-lead solder in manufacturing is a critical part of making RoHS-compliant products. Lead-free solder has different properties than traditional tin-lead solder (such as a 35°C higher melting point) so rigorous attention to correct soldering techniques is of paramount importance. All personnel who solder components must pass RoHS-compliant product training conducted by a certified trainer.