Portable RoHS and WEEE Analysis using Niton XL3t 700 Series Instruments

Regulation (RoHS, EN71 etc) restrict the amounts of lead, mercury, cadmium and other elements allowable in electrical and electronic equipment and consumer products. The NITON XL3t 700 Series provides a fast, effective and nondestructive means of screening solders, components and packaging for compliance with the RoHS guidelines.

  • Leads, connectors, case parts - any polymer constructed parts, MUST contain less than 100ppm Cadmium.
  • Certain EU customs agencies are using NITON instruments to impound failed goods.
  • Some imported components tested at over 5000ppm Cadmium.
  • High profile European Manufacturers have had expensive disruption.
  • NITON instruments are being used by these companies to REJECT supplied goods.
  • Companies involved in plastic recycling and recycled polymer materials need to ensure they are not involved in distributing materials with illegal cadmium levels.
  • Cadmium is one of the principal harmful substances to be dealt with by the WEEE and RoHS directives.

WEEE (2002/96/EC) and RoHS (2002/95/EC) Directives

With the waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) Directive 2002/96/EC and reduction of hazardous substances in electical and electronic equipment (RoHS) directive 2002/95/EC directives due to be in force by than the 1st July 2006, but with Member States having until 13th August 2004 to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Directives, cadmium content testing (also also lead content testing and mercury content testing) is more of an issue than ever here in the UK and in Europe generally. Suppliers outside Europe, but wishing to sell into it, need to have just as much regard for WEEE and RoHS as us Europeans, so it is not just an EU issue.

Being a truly portable and totally non-destructive testing method, NITON portable XRF analysers can provide valuable assistance in screening for the three metallic toxins - lead, mercury and cadmium cited in the legislation. For example - in-situ WEEE toxin content testing is particularly difficult to achieve, as most testing methods require samples to be analysed using laboratory facilities and for those samples to be taken inevitably requires damaging the item to be tested - NITON analysers can test a component directly for WEEE toxin screening purposes. In addition, more accurate ex-situ WEEE toxin content testing can be performed by preparing samples and analysing them using the optional test stand and sample preparation kit.