Keywords
Citation
(1999), "UK PCB makers win time to comply with environmental legislation", Circuit World, Vol. 25 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.1999.21725cab.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
UK PCB makers win time to comply with environmental legislation
PCIF
UK PCB makers win time to comply with environmental legislation
Keywords Emissions, Environmental issues, PCIF
Active lobbying by the Printed Circuit Interconnection Federation (PCIF) has won UK printed circuit manufacturers exemption from the legal requirement to control the atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by the application and drying of solder resist inks. The period of exemption runs until 1 December 2000.
The requirement for PCB makers to register with their local authorities (SEPA in Scotland), should their solder resist processing consume organic solvent at a rate of 5,000kg or more in any 12-month period, remains in force. The PCIF is advising any companies that have not yet registered to correct this omission at the earliest opportunity.
Commenting on the VOC concession, PCIF Executive Director Brian Haken said: "This gives the UK's PCB industry a reasonable period of time in which to implement the equipment upgrading necessary to ensure compliance with the legislation. It is excellent news. It also illustrates the value of robust, proactive representation of the industry to Government."
The PCIF lobbying followed confirmation by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) that Part 1 of the UK's Environmental Protection Act, 1990 does cover the curtain coating and other solder resist application processes used by PCB fabricators. If a company's solder resist processing involves the production of VOCs, then as of 1 December 2000 that company will have to control any emissions to atmosphere to 50mg/m3 or less. Research carried out by the PCIF indicates that most commercially available solder resist inks applied by curtain coating produce 800 to 900mg/m3 VOCs.