Sep 22, 2008

ASTM International Committee F40 on Declarable Substances in Materials has approved its first test method, F2617, Test Method for Identification and Quantification of Chromium, Bromine, Cadmium, Mercury and Lead in Polymeric Material Using Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry. The new standard is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee F40.01 on Test Methods.

ASTM F2617 describes a method for screening and quantifying the amount of elements in polymers that are subsequently used in the creation of consumer products. According to Taco van der Maten, PANalytical, and vice chair of Committee F40, F2617 provides a practical approach for testing that will ensure compliance with several RoHS directives, which started with the European Union legislation, and was followed shortly with several other RoHS-like regulations throughout the world, that calls for the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment.
 
Van der Maten notes that F2617 focuses on raw materials being used in the early stages of polymer production but does not exclude polymer end products. "When the beginning of the production process is safe, it's logical that when you get to the end of the process, the finished product will be safe," says van der Maten. Van der Maten also points out that internationally accepted reference materials were used in the development of F2617.

Subcommittee F40.01 welcomes participation from all interested parties in the development and ongoing revision of its standards. Van der Maten says that those who are involved in lawmaking, international politics and environmental law, both from government and industry sectors, are especially encouraged to become involved in F40.01 work. An interlaboratory study of F2617 is currently in the works.

ASTM International standards are available for purchase from Customer Service (phone: 610-832-9585; https://www.astm.org/contact/) or at www.astm.org.
              
For technical information, contact Taco van der Maten, PANalytical, Almelo, Netherlands (phone: 011-31-54-653-4444; taco.van.der.maten@panalytical.com). Committee F40 meets during the November committee week, Nov. 19-20, in St. Louis, Mo. For meeting or membership information, contact Brynn Murphy (phone: 610-832-9640; bmurphy@astm.org).

Release #8068/Sept08