PD IEC/PAS 63015:2016

What is PD IEC/PAS 63015 - Definition of “Low-Halogen” for electronic products about?  

PD IEC/PAS 63015 provides terms and definitions for “low-halogen” electronic products that have the potential to contain the halogens bromine (Br) and chlorine (Cl) from the use of BFRs, CFRs, and PVC, and recommends methods for marking and labeling.  

PD IEC/PAS 63015 may be applied to all non-metallic and nonceramic materials within electronic products including, but not limited to, materials in the following components commonly found in electronic products: 

• Transistors, integrated circuits, modules consisting mainly of integrated circuits (e.g. multichip, hybrid), and memory modules 
• Resistors, capacitors, relays, inductors, and connectors 
• Printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) including components 
• Plastic in cables, sockets, switches and external wiring 
• Mechanical plastics (enclosures, fans, etc.) 
• Films, tapes, inks, and adhesives 
• Soldering flux residues (when present) 
• Sound, shock, and vibration dampeners (foams, resins, etc.) 

PD IEC/PAS 63015 establishes the maximum concentration level for the halogens bromine (Br) and chlorine (Cl) from the use of BFRs, CFRs, and PVC. While the halogen group contains fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine, PD IEC/PAS 63015 will use the term “low-halogen” to refer only to bromine and chlorine. Refer to Annex C for further explanation for exclusion of astatine, iodine and fluorine.  

Who is PD IEC/PAS 63015 - Definition of “Low-Halogen” for electronic products for? 

PD IEC/PAS 63015 on Definition of “Low-Halogen” for electronic products is useful for: 

• Manufacturers and suppliers of electronic product 
• Manufacturers and suppliers of electronic components 
• Electronic industry 
• Environmental protection agencies 

Why should you use PD IEC/PAS 63015 - Definition of “Low-Halogen” for electronic products? 

Halogenated polymeric materials and compounds are used in various engineering applications, including flame retardation. Several decades of use have proven these materials and compounds to be reliable and cost-effective. The electronic industry seeks to reduce the overall environmental impact of our products by working to develop reliable and cost-effective alternatives to these materials and compounds.  

However, the timetable for broad-scale adoption of low-halogen materials is difficult to predict, because applications such as complex multilayer PCBs and large molded integrated circuits will require further investigation and qualification of new materials. 

The halogen group contains fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine; however, this document will use the term “low-halogen” to refer only to bromine and chlorine to be consistent with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and IPC definitions of “halogen-free” (see Clause 2). Refer to Annex C for further explanation for exclusion of astatine, iodine and fluorine.  

In PD IEC/PAS 63015, the term “low-halogen” is used to identify a material that contains low concentrations of bromine and chlorine from brominated and chlorinated flame retardants (BFRs, CFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC).