I'm sure this has been discussed before, but I can't find any info on it 
currently.  The piclist.com search page has been giving me odd results on 
this (some results found, but not readable due to errors or missing info).  
And Google has pointed me to some conflicting info, and some open questions.

In a nutshell, I am trying to understand what should be done about the 
lead-free mandate / Rohs-compliance?  First, there are clear statements that 
this is a mandate in Europe for July 1, 2006.  But I've not clearly seen that 
it is a mandate in the US for the same date.  Is it?

For compliance, is it a simple matter of making sure that all components, PCB, 
connectors, wires, etc are compliant, and soldering with a lead-free solder?

I found a number of alternate solder choices, but don't have a clear 
understanding of what the properties are or how the properties compare to 
generic tin/lead solder.  Is there a preferred solder substitue for the 
average user?  I assume there is no simple drop-in replacement?

What about tools -- how will this affect the soldering equipment used?  
Obviously if melting temps change, then the soldering iron temps will need to 
change.

Is there any certification/testing of products that will need to be done to 
claim that end products are compliant?

Anything else?

Cheers,
-Neil.


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