IPC comments to U.S. CPSC regarding electronic devices.
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Press Release Summary:
In conjunction with ITI and CEA, IPC provided comments to Consumer Product Safety Commission on Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, which includes requirements limiting use of phthalates and lead in products intended for children. IPC noted that most electronic devices such as laptops, desktops, and mobile internet devices should not be considered children's products and that any lead used is inaccessible to children by any reasonably foreseeable use and abuse.
Original Press Release:
IPC Delivers Comments to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Regarding Electronic Devices
BANNOCKBURN, Ill., USA, November 12, 2008 - IPC - Association Connecting Electronics Industries®, in conjunction with the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI) and the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), provided comments to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on the recently enacted Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA).
Most significantly for the electronics industry, the regulations enacted August 14, 2008, include new requirements limiting the use of phthalates and lead in products intended for children. The new CPSIA regulations also require manufacturers to certify compliance with every consumer product shipment beginning November 12, 2008. The CPSIA affects more than 15,000 consumer products used in and around the home, and in sports, recreation and schools.
In its response to the CPSC, IPC noted that most electronic devices should not be considered children's products. While some computers and other electronics are specifically designed for use by children, the majority of electronic products, such as servers, laptop computers, desktop computers and mobile internet devices, are not generally viewed as "children's products," even though they may be used by children from time to time under the supervision of adults.
Additionally, IPC commented that any lead used in an electronics device is inaccessible to children by any reasonably foreseeable use and abuse; that the lead limit for accessible component parts for electronic products designed and intended primarily for children under 12 be set at 1,000 parts per million (ppm), in compliance with the European Union's RoHS Directive; and that the burdensome new reporting rules be simplified.
"We're pleased to collaborate with our colleagues to comment on specific sections of the CPSIA which have potential to significantly affect the electronics industry," Ron Chamrin, IPC manager of government relations, explained. "Our members are committed to complying with the CPSIA. However, we are deeply concerned with the lack of clarity surrounding the requirements for certification."
Most electronics products are not intended for children. However, there are some electronics products that are marketed to children or that a child may misconstrue as a toy. Because the new CPSIA regulations require manufacturers to certify compliance with every consumer product regulation, manufacturers should review all pertinent regulations, not just the new lead and phthalate regulations for children's products. Information on the CPSC and CPSIA is available at www.cpsc.gov/about/cpsia/cpsia.html.
IPC's comments to the CPSC can be viewed at http://www.ipc.org/current-GR-issues.
For more information about IPC's government relations activities, contact Ron Chamrin at +1 703-522-0225 or RonChamrin@ipc.org.
About IPC
IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global trade association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 2,700 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $1.5 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Arlington, Va.; Garden Grove, Calif.; Stockholm, Sweden; and Shanghai, China.
