Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Compliance Policy

RAF Tabtronics LLC, an environmentally responsible company, committed to meeting the RoHS product compliance deadline on July 1, 2006 as set forth by European Union legislation. We herein share the details of our compliance policy with you, our valued customer.

Definition:  RAF Tabtronics defines terms similar to “lead-free” and “RoHS compliant” to mean full RoHS compliance as based on the EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC.  We interpret these regulations to require a maximum concentration value of up to 0.1% by weight in homogenous materials for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybromated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and a maximum value of 0.01% by weight in homogenous materials for cadmium.

RoHS Policy for Standard Products: All RAF Tabtronics standard catalog part numbers are available in both compliant and “leaded” versions. RoHS compliant versions of standard products are indicated by an “R” suffix added to the catalog part number.

RoHS Policy for Exempt Custom Products: Most of our defense, medical, aerospace and industrial customers do not require compliance to the EU RoHS Directive. In fact, a few customers have explicitly required that their custom product not be changed without specific approval and/or qualification testing. RAF Tabtronics products which do not contain an “R” suffix in their labeled part number do not comply with RoHS requirements.

To comply with customer “Do Not Change” and/or “Copy Exact” requirements, RAF Tabtronics will take all reasonable care to ensure that any substantive change in component material is communicated to the affected customer before implementation.

If you require that your exempt custom product must meet the Directive, please refer to our RoHS Policy for Non-Exempt Custom Products below.

RoHS Policy for Non-Exempt Custom Products: Many of our commercial customers have requested RoHS status of their custom products. If a customer drawing package exists, your documentation will need to be reviewed in detail to determine compliance.  If no such package exists, our product specific documentation must be reviewed at the same level of detail. In both cases, any request to verify or change to RoHS Compliance must be in writing from you, the customer.  Depending upon the specifics of your request, this review could take up to 3 months. The expense of any evaluation, re-approvals, re-qualification, or required design verification testing will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis.  Changes to RoHS compliance may require material testing and analysis.  The availability of suitable alternatives may cause interruption of supply and affect product pricing.

Upon conversion to a RoHS compliant product, RAF Tabtronics will add an “R” suffix to our internal product part number reference which is typically visible on all product and supplied paperwork.

RoHS Compliance Testing: RAF Tabtronics will be relying on our supply chain to provide materials meeting the restricted substances requirement of RoHS, when specified. If you require specific percentages of restricted materials in your products, analysis and testing may be necessary. This analysis will be quoted on a case-by-case basis.

Please submit all RoHS related change requests to your RAF Tabtronics customer specialist. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly.

James Tabbi
President & COO

Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Compliance Requirements

RAF Tabtronics, an environmentally responsible company, committed to meeting the RoHS product compliance deadline on July 1, 2006 as set forth by European Union legislation. To that end, we require that you, our valued supplier, comply with the following:

Definition:  RAF Tabtronics defines terms similar to “lead-free” and “RoHS compliant” to mean full RoHS compliance as based on the EU RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC.  We interpret these regulations to require a maximum concentration value of up to 0.1% by weight in homogenous materials for lead, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyls (PBB), and polybromated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), and a maximum value of 0.01% by weight in homogenous materials for cadmium.

RoHS Policy for Purchased Materials and Special Processes: Most of our defense, medical, aerospace and industrial customers do not require compliance to the EU RoHS Directive. In fact, a few customers have explicitly required that their products not be changed without specific approval and/or qualification testing. 

To comply with our customer “Do Not Change” and/or “Copy Exact” requirements, RAF Tabtronics will explicitly state on all supplier purchase orders that purchased materials and services may not be changed from that which has been historically supplied without 3 months written notice to, and written approval by, Tabtronics Inc.

When RoHS Compliance is required, RAF Tabtronics will explicitly indicate that requirement on our purchase order that materials must comply with the RoHS directive.

As always, RAF Tabtronics requires its suppliers to meet all drawing and purchase order requirements and obtain advance written approval of any change before shipment. Suppliers will be liable for consequences of supplying noncompliant materials.

RoHS Compliance Certification and/or Testing: RAF Tabtronics will be relying on our supply chain to provide materials meeting the restricted substances requirement of RoHS, when specified. We will typically require certification of compliance using IPC-1752 and will specify such on our purchase order.  We may also require specific percentages of restricted materials in your products upon special request.

Please submit all RoHS related change requests directly your RAF Tabtronics purchasing authority.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us directly.

Rich Needham
Director, Supply Chain Management

Kathy S. Graf
Supply Chain Manager