Purchasing Home Page
Key Industry Suppliers
Search
Become a Key Industry Supplier
Click here to receive Key Industry Suppliers updates

Environmental Commitment

TTI is committed to being a resource in helping you achieve environmental compliance standards in your electronic component decisions. We are working with suppliers to make sure your transition to lead-free is a smooth one.

What is RoHS?

The RoHS Directive stands for "the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment". This Directive bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. Below you will find the maximum levels allowed for the six restricted substances that had to become WEEE compliant by August 13, 2005 and RoHS compliant by July 1, 2006.

Substance Max Concentration
Lead – Pb 0.1%
Mercury – Hg 0.1%
Cadmium - Cd 0.01%
Hexavalent Chromium Cr (VI) 0.1%
Polybrominated Biphenyls PBB 0.1%
Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers PBDE 0.1%

How is TTI, Inc. Helping?

Working With Suppliers

From the beginning, we have supported the evolution of environmentally sound manufacturing. In the summer of 2003, TTI made efforts to better understand the conversion strategy of all our suppliers. Later that year, we required them to submit written Pb-free/RoHS compliance transition plans. Soon after, we conducted detailed one-on-one meetings to define how we would work together on an acceptable compliance road map.

TTI played an instrumental role in the 2003 NEDA (National Electronic Distribution Association) group that helped set industry expectations and guidelines. By broadening supplier participation, we helped strengthen the foundation of the lead-free movement. Currently, more than 60% of TTI’s suppliers have agreed to meet these requirements.

On-Going Management

TTI suppliers provide:

  • Unique part numbers for lead and lead free parts
  • Special component marking, if applicable
  • Package labeling to Pb-free/RoHS compliant devices
  • Updated conversion time lines
  • Standardized reporting tools

Supplier initiatives we actively participate in include:

  • Providing accessible ability to ‘Material Declaration’ information from the component manufacturers.
  • Providing easy to understand part number cross referencing from non-compliant to compliant part numbers.
  • Modifying certifications to include lead free and RoHS information.
  • Establishing new internal ordering guidelines.
  • If the new part number is forward and backward compatible, then TTI orders lead-free only.
  • If the new part is not forward and backward compatible, we order both the compliant and non-compliant products, as specified by the customer’s purchase order requirements.

TTI suppliers provide the following part information:

  • Old part numbers
  • New part numbers
  • Conversion date
  • Pb Free and RoHS status
  • Solder temperature requirements
  • Moisture sensitivity level
  • Method to report ‘Material Declaration’ information
  • Detail exceptions taken to Directives
  • Sample availability

Inventory Management

Once the product is ordered and received, we take several steps to ensure these parts are managed properly. First, TTI takes precautions to ensure that your components are marked and easily identifiable as Pb-free and RoHS compliant. To achieve this, we added Pb-free and RoHS indicators to our part master files. These indicators are visible to our sales team and are passed on to our warehouse control system (WCS). Pb and RoHS information is also provided on our packing lists and internally generated labels.

TTI also has an internal process that automates the conversion of non-compliant to compliant part numbers for our supply chain customers where needed. The company has adjusted outgoing packaging lists and labels to reflect compliant versus non-compliant products. We segregate our extensive warehouse by unique part number where available. Remaining inventory is isolated by date code and various markings.

In keeping with our goal to maintain the highest quality levels, TTI is proactive in minimizing errors during the transition. We adjust all of the necessary ISO processes to ensure our policies are repeatable. Our method of verifying count and separating potential “mixed” inventory helps us reduce our margin of error resulting in cost-savings for you, the customer. Lastly, our updated inspection strategies and procedures for handing returns.

Customer Specific Reports

As part of the TTI Pb-free/RoHS initiative, the corporate product marketing department has diligently worked to add Pb-free and RoHS indicators to every part in TTI’s inventory. To verify the status of your required parts, simply request a KROS Lead Free Report or visit our dedicated resource center located on the TTI Web site that allows customers to perform a part search to determine what lead-free parts are available.

The new KROS report contains the following information:

  • Account Number
  • Customer Name
  • Customer Part Number
  • Packing List Part Number
  • TTI Part Number
  • Pb-Free Indicator
  • RoHS Compliance Indicator

The report displays Pb indicators as follows:

  • Y = Pb-Free
  • N = Contains Pb

The report displays RoHS indicators as follows:

  • Y = RoHS Compliant
  • N = RoHS Non-Compliant
  • E = Exempt Per Directive

Lead Free Resource Center

The TTI Pb-free/RoHS Compliance website provides all the relevant information you need to stay ahead of the curve on lead-free issues. From the legislation that initiated the Pb-free/RoHS directives to the TTI-sponsored on-site seminars, this page serves a dedicated resource for anyone wanting the most current data on Pb-free and RoHS compliance. Educational sources include:

  • History & Background Information
  • Free Webcasts and Educational Seminars
  • Free Information Downloads
  • NEDA White Papers
  • Supplier Information
  • Product Change Notices
  • Specification Sheets
  • Tin Whisker Technical Papers
  • ... much, much, more!

MarketEye

MarketEye is TTI’s exclusive source of everything you need to know in the industry! We’ve gathered top industry experts to provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date market information concerning IP&E. Trade specialist, including Dennis Zogbi and Ron Bishop, offer insight into the economy, origin of the lead-free movement, and the impact it’s having on the industry.

Click here for information on TTI's Commitment to Environmental Compliance