New rules that prohibit the presence of lead and other hazardous substances in electronics and electrical equipment will be outlined in training courses held this summer and early fall in the United States. The new Hazardous Substance Free specification, adopted by the International Electrotechnical Commission’s Quality Assessment System for Electronic Components (IECQ) specifies the technical requirements that manufacturers must meet to ensure their products conform to the new limits. The specification was developed by the Electronic Components Certification Board (ECCB)—the IECQ’s U.S. representative—and the electronic component sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance. It’s entitled “Electrical and Electronics Components and Products Hazardous Substance Free Standard and Requirements,” commonly referred to as EIA/ECCB-954.

The training courses will teach experts how to apply the standard, and will provide the attendees who take two days of training and pass an exam with an EICQ certificate. Attendees who take all three days of training and pass the exam will become IECQ-certified Hazardous Substance Processes Manager auditors.

The U.S. training schedule hasn’t yet been announced, though the courses will be offered in various locations from July through October.

 …