Global trade association IPC has announced a new white paper in response to a proposed expansion of RoHs substance restrictions by the Oko-Institute. The white paper, "The Electronic Interconnection Industry Supply Chain’s Response to the Oko-Institute's Proposed Revisions to the RoHS Directive," is the culmination of presentations made during an IPC workshop on June 18, 2008, in Brussels, and offers a response to the Oko-Institut Recommendations for Proposed Revisions to the RoHS Directive. For example, the Oko-Institut recommended the restriction of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), a flame retardant used to protect more than 80 percent of printed circuit boards (PCBs), despite the fact that TBBPA was found to be safe by a comprehensive European Union (EU) Risk Assessment. As Fern Abrams, IPC's Director of Government Relations and Environmental Policy, noted: "It is important that the commissioners understand the Oko-Institut recommendations are arbitrary, lack a sound scientific basis, and would have a significant negative impact on our members and the industry." In addition to TBBPA, hexabromocylcododecanes (HBCDDs), several phthalate plasticizers, and all organic compounds containing chlorine and bromine are identified in the Oko-Institut report as suggested bans.
