ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT 

SymTech Laboratories is committed to tackling the environmental concerns shared by the global electronics industry and consumers alike.  Our policies encompass lead-free/RoHS directives, proper battery disposal methods, packaging waste reduction and the adoption of environmentally neutral manufacturing chemicals. 

As a manufacturer of electronic components, we are dedicated to identifying all environmental aspects of our products and making them available to our customers.  We strive to keep all information up-to-date and available.  Please feel free to contact our Quality Assurance Director with questions, comments and suggestions.

 Lead-Free/RoHS

RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substance) is a directive introduced by the European Union (EU) to restrict certain hazardous materials in electronic equipment.  The directive obligates members to limit the amounts of lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, brominated flame retardants (PBB’s) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE’s) in products sold in the EU.  RoHS has become a standard for which all electronics and electrical equipment manufacturers strive.

SymTech Labs defines its products as either:

• "RoHS: Compliant" per producer documentation. The manufacturer has declared and documented compliance to EU Directive 2002/95/EC Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS).
• "RoHS: Compliant by Exemption" per producer documentation. The manufacturer has declared and documented an exemption from compliance to EU Directive 2002/95/EC Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) or the product doesn't fall within the scope of  RoHS directives.

Most products are RoHS: Compliant and are classified as such through careful examination of the certifications provided by each of our suppliers.   SymTech Labs performs no testing and relies solely on this information.  We make no warranty, certification, or independent declaration of compliance. 

Our manufacturing techniques do not utilize lead based solder.  Neither our solder paste nor flux-core solder wire contain lead.  While the specific alloys vary, all are designed to reduce tin whisker formation and subsequent premature circuit failure.

 Manufacturing Chemicals

Electronics manufacturing requires certain consumables that may form environmentally hazardous byproducts and waste.  SymTech Labs is actively taking steps to reduce our usage of such materials in addition to properly recycling those whose usage cannot be reduced. 

 Batteries

Cadmium and mercury are integral to the chemistry of certain batteries: for this reason, many are exempt from RoHS directives.  Fortunately, the EU strictly regulates cadmium and mercury levels in batteries.  Certain SymTech products rely on batteries, but all defective, waste or scrap units that pass through our hands are recycled properly.   

 Packing and Shipping Materials

Packing and shipping materials account for a large percentage of consumer waste.  SymTech Labs practices several innovative packing techniques to ensure your shipped products arrive safely while minimizing packaging waste.  Shipping containers are usually high post-consumer content cardboard cartons and padding consists of recycled shredded paper or polyethylene air pockets.

 Resources

Please visit these websites for more information about current evironmental issues concerning the electronics industry:

• Toxic use Reduction Institute The Institute (TURI) researches, tests and promotes pollution prevention methods and alternatives to toxic chemicals used in Massachusetts' industries and communities.
  
• Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) Program The TRI is a publicly available EPA database that contains information on toxic chemical releases and other waste management activities that are reported annually by certain industry groups, as well as federal facilities.
  
• Toxics in Packaging Clearinghouse (TPCH) The TPCH was formed in 1992 to promote the Model Toxics in Packaging Legislation in the US.