Ready for RoHS

Sharp's opto-components are "free of hazardous substances" in compliance with RoHS Directive

Sharp Microelectronics uses no hazardous substances in the manufacture of their opto-electronic components. These include lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), hexavalent chromium (Cr6+), polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and diphenylether (PBDE). This means that all Sharp opto-components already comply with EU Directive 2002/95/EC which restricts the use of hazardous substances (RoHS) and comes into effect on 1st of July 2006.

“Already this year, April was a major milestone for Sharp Microelectronics, we were able to offer optoelectronics components, fully compliant to the RoHS-Directive. In this way we are supporting our customers at an early stage of the RoHS transition process and enabling them to have their products ready by the end of June 2006 which will be in full compliance with the RoHS requirements of the EU markets.” Said Andreas Biss, Product Marketing Manager for Opto-components at Sharp Microelectronics Europe.

Most of the hazardous materials in question have never been used by Sharp for the manufacture of opto-components. In the past, only small amounts of lead were used in the plating alloy of component terminal pins. Since April, 1st 2005 the company has used substances in compliance with RoHS to replace these amounts of lead that were previously used as alloying elements.
To avoid potential mix-up with non-RoHS compliant models of earlier manufacture, all components now bear modified model numbers. A special mark is also applied to all packaging to show that the EU Directive is being observed.

Even after replacing the lead used in plating materials, Sharp can still guarantee the high quality of its components. Thanks to tried-and-tested processes such as the patented """"Double Transfer Mould Technology"""" used in the manufacture of many of Sharp's opto products, these components can also withstand the higher soldering temperatures of up to 260 degrees Celsius which are necessary for working with the new materials.

Availability

Sharp's opto-electronic components are now available exclusively in RoHS-compliant versions from Sharp sales and marketing offices and distribution partners across the world.

About Sharp Microelectronics Europe

Sharp Microelectronics Europe, Hamburg, Germany, is a divisional company of Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH, which is a subsidiary of Sharp Corporation, Osaka, Japan. Sharp is a worldwide developer of core digital technologies that are playing an integral role in shaping the next generation of electronic products for consumer and business needs. Sharp Microelectronics Europe offers groundbreaking solutions in the areas of memory products, LCD, Opto Components, CCD, RF/IR, microcomputer and system-on-chip components, along with packaging and integration skills that help design engineers throughout Europe to bring their ambitious ideas to market. Sharp Microelectronics Europe is dedicated to improving people’s lives through the use of advanced technology and a commitment to innovation, quality, value and design.

Responsible:
Sharp Microlelectronics Europe
Sonninstraße 3
20097 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)180/5073507
Fax: +49 (0)40/2376-2232
Email: infosme@seeg.sharp-eu.com


Editorial:
Faktor 3 AG
Ralf Schäfer
Kattunbleiche 35
22041 Hamburg
Phone: +49 (0)40/679446-31
Fax: +49 (0)40/679446-11
Email: r.schaefer@faktor3.de