IPC日前宣布将于2009年2月4－5日在加利福尼亚圣何塞针对当前不断变化的环境立法和客户因而产生的不同需求召开一次专题研讨会讨论业界如何应对这些问题。 Regardless of a companys role in the electronics interconnect supply chain, new and evolving requirements affect all aspects of business, from design, purchasing, manufacturing and marketing. To help companies in the electronics industry understand, comply and interpret those regulations, IPC ― Association Connecting Electronics Industries will host a symposium on electronics and the environment, Its Not Easy Being Green: Compliance with Legislation and Customer Requirements, February 45, 2009, at the Wyndham San Jose, San Jose, Calif. According to Fern Abrams, IPC director of government relations and environmental policy, compliance with environmental laws and regulations presents both business challenges and opportunities. Environmental regulations may start out as legal requirements, but many ultimately become supply chain requirements. Companies that are unprepared will face disruption of their business; those that are ready to address the challenges will find new opportunities.

Its not just about complying with laws and regulations; its also about how customers interpret those regulations. In the end, meeting customer requirements is as important as following the law. The two-day symposium will address the new and evolving laws, regulations and requirements, including REACH compliance for electronics manufacturers and their suppliers located inside and outside the EU; updated information on the European Unions RoHS review process including changes in scope, recommendations for the inclusion of medical and monitoring equipment, and the addition of new substance requirements; China RoHS and the process for including electronic products in the catalogue of items subject to substance restrictions; and environmental regulatory trends in California that may impact your business inside and outside of California, including green chemistry, e-waste and energy efficiency.

The keynote address featuring Joe Johnson, senior manager of environmental affairs with CISCO Systems, will provide insight into CISCOs plans for environmental and product compliance. Other symposium highlights include a look into new OEM and top tier EMS commitments to corporate social responsibility; a supply chain panel discussion revealing how each segment is overcoming regulation challenges; a system compliance panel presentation, examining new software products designed to help track supply chain compliance with RoHS and REACH substance restrictions; an overview of OEM supply chain requirements for low-halogen electronics, including the upcoming J-STD-709, Definition of Maximum Limits on the Low-Halogens Bromine Chlorine Used in Materials for Certain Electronic Components and Assemblies; and the results of the EPA Design for the Environment study on halogen-free flame retardants for printed circuit boards.

Theres a lot packed into two days, but attendees will walk away with a clear understanding of the regulations, the impacts and practical ideas and solutions to address the challenges ahead, remarks Abrams. For more information on the symposium or to register, visit www.ipc.org/NotEasyBeingGreen or contact IPC registration staff at +1 847-597-2861 or registration@ipc.org.