Cost effective last minute RoHS compliance advice

With the 1 July 2006 RoHS compliance deadline rapidly approaching, BVCPS is providing advice and services to help ensure its customers demonstrate due diligence and conform to the new regulations

With the impending introduction of the Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) Directive, Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services (BVCPS), global leader in consumer product testing, inspections and auditing, is offering its range of compliance solutions to help ensure their clients demonstrate due diligence and comply with the Directive.

With the 1 July 2006 RoHS compliance deadline rapidly approaching, BVCPS is providing cost effective advice and services to help ensure its customers demonstrate due diligence and conform to the new regulations, including a one day RoHS compliance review and a quick and cost effective test solution.

These services include:.

Testing (full RoHS testing, finished product RoHS verification and detection of specific substances).

IECQ hazardous substance process management (HSPM) gap analysis, audit and certification.

Training/seminars.

Compliance assistance (RoHS compliance review, material risk profiling, supplier assessment, RoHS technical documentation analysis).

Regulatory impact assessment (scope analysis, substitution solutions research, re-approval assessment (EMC, RF, safety, environmental simulation) and exemption analysis).

BVCPS says it has built upon its expertise in electrical testing and quality standards to provide a truly global RoHS service to electrical equipment retailers, manufacturers and importers, highlighted by RoHS capabilities in BVCPS locations in USA, Germany, France, UK, China, Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan.

The objective of the RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC amended by 2005/618/EC) is to restrict the use of six specific hazardous chemicals, including lead, mercury and cadmium, in electrical and electronic equipment.

BVCPS can assure regulatory compliance from the product manufacturing stage right through to the point of distribution.

With the impending implementation of the RoHS Directive, one of BVCPS's key offerings is a fast, flexible and cost effective test solution for finished products.

Should manufacturers, importers or retailers wish to discuss their RoHS requirements in more detail, BVCPS is offering guidance or a best fit solution, delivered by one of their RoHS experts around the world.

The full RoHS testing service provided by BVCPS is the most complete method available of checking compliance.

The tests are conducted by measuring the concentration limit of all the hazardous substances per homogenous material of a product or compound.

BVCPS can also measure the concentration limit of specific hazardous substances in high risk parts of the product.

The IECQ HSPM certification service offered by BVCPS is the leading scheme for providing a clear statement to third parties regarding the lack of hazardous substances in a component or product.

In addition, BVCPS's new services include assistance with the preparation of the required RoHS technical file.

This consists of a review of the supplier's test reports and the identifying and rectifying of missing documentation in the design or engineering stage.

BVCPS also offers a comprehensive programme to assist manufacturers in building in-house laboratories for achieving the targeted quality level and technical competency.

This programme includes on-site auditing, test method verification, inter-laboratory preparation tests and final approval.

Changing chemical substances or layout in a product or component may have consequences on its performance, qualifications and certifications.

In recognition of this, BVCPS can help identify substitution solutions.

They can also carry out tests to verify a product's stability as well as identify necessary tests to apply for product re-approval.

Chris Baird, international RoHS programme coordinator and marketing manager, at BVCPS, comments: "As there are so many aspects to consider when ensuring compliance to the new RoHS Directive, manufacturers, importers and retailers are well advised to get professional help".

"As a trusted expert within this field, BVCPS can offer all of its customers a comprehensive service which takes into account most possible eventualities, giving producers peace of mind that they are selling fully compliant products.".

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