Based on benchmark data, we believe we have one of the most stringent processes in the industry for determining the safest and most effective materials to manufacture our products.

We comprehensively screen all incoming chemicals before incorporating them into our manufacturing lines. Screening includes a review of customer concerns and regulatory standards, in addition to any health, safety and environmental controls required for their use. If concerns about a chemical or material arise during review, the mater is elevated to a chemical and material review board staffed by TI experts.

If a chemical or material is thought to be necessary for manufacturing but concerns still exist, the company’s manufacturing leaders review the issue, and in some cases, authorize additional time and resources to seek a safer alternative or more stringent use controls.

Lead-Free Becomes the Norm
In the late 1980s, TI became an industry leader in developing lead-free alternatives for products, long before legislation required such measures. In 1989, TI introduced its first lead-free alternative, the nickel/palladium finish.

In 2003, the European Union (EU) passed the “Restriction on Use of Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment” (RoHS). In effect since July 2006, RoHS bans any new electrical or electronic equipment that contains more than agreed-upon levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl and polybrominated diphenyl ether flame retardants.

Because of our proactive efforts, we completed most component conversions nearly one year ahead of the EU deadline. Our lead-free products also meet the new China Management Methods for Controlling Pollution by Electronic Information Products (China RoHS) requirements.

Supplier Stewardship
Our external Eco-Info and Lead (Pb)-Free Web site, a product content database, allows customers to assess the materials contained in our products to ensure compliance throughout the supply chain. The information is available at www.ti.com/ecoinfo.

We ensure TI raw material and external manufacturing supplier compliance with the EU’s RoHS restrictions and other regulatory and customer requirements through an annual certification process for raw chemicals and materials used in TI products. In 2006, we began offering proof-ofcompliance analytical data from raw material suppliers for those customers who wanted more than certification as proof of content compliance.