IPC Standards Committee Reports: Supplier Declaration, EH&S, Conflict Minerals

These committee reports from IPC Midwest Conference & Exhibition have been compiled to help keep you up to date on IPC standards committee activities. This is the first in a series of reports.

Supplier Declaration
The 2-18b Materials Declaration Task Group held a joint meeting with the IEC TC 111 committee that developed the IEC 62474 Materials Declaration standard. Both groups agreed that harmonization of IPC-1752A and IEC 62474 would greatly benefit the industry. The two groups will work to align the standards.

The 2-18f Packing Materials Declaration Task Group recently celebrated the publication of IPC-1758, Declaration Requirements for Shipping, Pack and Packing Materials. The task group will propose an amendment to the standard to align it with the IEC 62474 Materials Declaration standard.

The 2-18h Conflict Minerals Data Exchange Task Group discussed participation in a new multi-industry conflict minerals data exchange standard. The development of a new standard would involve members from Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI), the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), and the Retailers Industry Leaders Association (RILA). This conflict minerals data exchange standard would build upon the work already done by each group. A draft standard is expected in October, with publication of a final standard in mid-2013.

The 2-18j Laboratory Declaration Task Group discussed the most recent draft of a standard for the exchange of information related to laboratory testing. This standard is expected to facilitate the exchange of laboratory reports between supply chain members by having a standardized laboratory report format and way to exchange the information contained in the laboratory reports. The task group plans to circulate a formal draft for committee review within the next few months.

Environment, Health and Safety
The 4-33a Low Halogen Guideline Task Group resolved more than 100 comments on the Final Draft of IPC-4903, A Guideline for Defining "Low-Halogen" Electronic Products. The current draft of IPC-4903 contains three classes of a low halogen definition. Several commenters expressed their disapproval with having three classes and instead are in favor of one. The chairs of the task group expect to ballot a proposed standard by the end of the year.

Conflict Minerals
The E-30 Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Committee resolved more than 100 comments on the Final Draft of IPC-1081, Conflict Minerals Due Diligence Best Practices Guideline. The guidance document expands upon the OECD Due Diligence document in order to help electronics companies comply with due diligence requirements under the conflict minerals regulations. A proposed guideline for ballot is expected in November.

Visit www.ipc.org/committees for more information on standards development, document drafts and committee meeting minutes.