Lead Free & RoHS Designation

The Lapp Group was first in North America to manufacture cables with lead-free compounds.

Due to lawsuits in California against manufacturers of wire and cable products that violated the state's Proposition 65, as well as environmental and safety issues, the Lapp Group manufactures its cable jackets and insulations without lead containing compounds. The chemicals listed in this proposition include lead and lead compounds.

The amount of lead in electrical insulation compound formulations vary by an approximate range of 2% to 6%, based on one pound of raw virgin material. The primary reason for adding lead to the formulations of PVC wire & cable insulations is that these compounds require the use of stabilizers. Without the use of stabilizers, PVC insulation would not be able to maintain its physical, thermal and electrical performance capabilities.

Issues such as cost of materials, R&D, and compliance with regulatory testing agencies, have previously delayed the widespread availability of lead-free compounds.

The Lapp Group has researched and developed lead-free compounds that pass all applicable UL requirements under UL Standard 83, including the long term wet insulation resistance test, which can last up to 36 weeks.

RoHS & WEEE Directives

As of July 1st 2006 certain substances are banned from inclusion in new electrical and electronic equipment.

These substances are:

• Lead
• Mercury
• Cadmium
• Hexavalent chromium
• Polybrominated biphenyl (PBB)
• Polybrominated diphenylether (PBDE)

In certain substances, limited values or exceptions apply, which are specified in EU Guidelines 2002/95/EC.

The importance of eliminating lead from cables began in the European and Asian markets.

International Regulations & Directives are in the process of eliminating lead.

RoHS (2002/95/EC)
(Restriction of Hazardous Substances)

Requires that manufacturers, distributors and sellers comply with eliminating certain hazardous substances from New Electrical and Electrical equipment by July 1, 2006.

All new production of standard Lapp cables are manufactured with compounds that meet the RoHS directive. These cables will be identified by the designation “pbf(+)” on the jacket print legend.

WEEE (2002/96/EC)

Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment - requires that manufacturers, distributors and sellers of specific appliances, and electrical equipment provide recycling and disposal facilities for their products as of August 13, 2005.

The use of non-lead compounds will not compromise the integrity of any Lapp product's ability to provide continued optimum performance.