Altera RoHS Irony

nospam wrote:
> Luc <bnl_rsm.lscc@telenet.be> wrote:
> 
>> May I remind you that that the leadfree, RoHS and Green stuff started
>> in Japan, not in Europe.
> 
> You may and I have heard the claim before, but when I look I find no
> evidence that is it true. 
> 

As far as I understand it, Japan has had a number of restrictions such 
as lead-free (or at least, reduced lead), for many years.  However, the 
restrictions are not as strict as the new EU directives.  I couldn't 
give you any more details or pointers, however, nor can I remember where 
I read about it.

Hi,

California is adopting the Eu RoHS rules in January 2007.  So it will
probably affect all American electronics companies soon.

Some of the exceptions are a bit annoying - e.g. disk drives are exempt
till 2009!  Server class computers!

I am finding it difficult to obtain components that meet the rules - in
many cases distributors such as Digikey do not stock the lead-free
parts even if available.  I have also had to spin designs since the
component manufacturer have decided not to make all of their packages
lead-free - choosing to obsolete the device in that package!.

kevin