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NKK Switches
RoHS Status Report
Updated: June 7, 2007

RoHS Part Search
RoHS directive became effective July 1, 2006. This directive requires that any new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market after that date in the European Union may not contain or severely limits any of the six substances: (lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, mercury, PBB, and PBDE), unless the equipment falls outside the scope of RoHS or unless one of the RoHS exemptions is satisfied. NKK's had implemented the following to support that effort, prior to the July 1 due date:
  1. Most of NKK's parts were RoHS compliant from the outset. Full compliance has required conversion of the remaining parts by removing lead (with some exceptions – See #8), cadmium (with some exceptions - See # 9), and hexavalent chromium.
  2. Information about the lead-free and RoHS compliant status of most of NKK’s parts is also available on NKK’s web site (http://www.nkkswitches.com ). Importantly, the web site provides the lead-free solder profiles for the listed parts.
  3. For converted parts, NKK has assigned new part numbers. The new part numbers will contain a “-RO” suffix to signify RoHS compliance.
    Ex: Conversion of a non-complaint part: BB15AH-FA to a RoHS complaint part BB15AH-FA-RO.
  4. Parts that were RoHS compliant from the outset will not be given new part numbers.
    Ex: A12AP has always been compliant so the RoHS compliant number remains A12AP.
  5. NKK has been building RoHS compliant inventory for many of its converted part numbers, but many of the converted parts may have fairly long lead times. If RoHS compliance parts are required, it is important to be sure to use the compliant part number on the purchase order and to be sure that the lead time has been clearly established.
  6. Although NKK’s new production is RoHS compliant, NKK will continue to ship pre-conversion inventory, while inventory exist, unless RoHS compliant parts are clearly specified on the customers purchase order. (Refer to #12 for return policy)
  7. NKK welcomes written requests for RoHS compliant status of NKK’s parts. Upon written request, NKK will issue a Certificate of Environmental Compliance for the specific part numbers that are RoHS compliant. It will list the part number, the compliancy date, and any exemptions associated with the part number.
  8. Some parts do use the Lead in Copper alloy exemption, Annex #6, to be RoHS compliant. That exemption will be listed on the certificate of compliance.
  9. On October 21, 2005, the Commission of European Communities issued its decision to expand the exemptions to RoHS to permit, among other things, the use of cadmium in electrical contacts (Annex #8). By virtue of this decision, all of NKK's switches are now RoHS compliant with respect to cadmium for the duration of the exemption, which could be as long as four years. That exemption will be listed on the Certificate of Compliance. Even though this exemption has become effective, NKK will continue the process of removing cadmium from all its products.
  10. Homogeneous percentage, ppm, substance weight, etc of non RoHS related substances are proprietary information. For RoHS related substances the certificate of compliance will declare that the six RoHS substances, if present within the part, are below the max ppm requirements of RoHS. Full material declarations are not required for RoHS compliance.
  11. NKK is also willing to provide the information necessary for end product manufacturers to fulfill their China RoHS requirements.
  12. NKK will be unable to accept returns (including stock rotations) based solely upon lead-free/RoHS non-compliance.
  13. Anyone who has any questions should feel free to call or e-mail Engineering at 480-991-0942 or engineering@nkkswitches.com .
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