QC 080000 IECQ HSPM calls for a process management approach to the management and reduction of hazardous substances in products and processes. It utilizes familiar conventions from the ISO standards world, while calling for a full review and understanding of the technical issues that arise from the substances being addressed, and their use in the production process.

The producer must identify and quantify hazardous or other substances restricted by the customer, and statutory and regulatory requirements that are included in the product and its production processes, and evidence how these substances are handled. QC 080000 also requires implementation of a plan to reduce or eliminate hazardous substances from product design through product realization and their management at product end of life.

QC 080000 targets processes, not just products
The hazardous substances identified in the European Union’s RoHS and WEEE directives and some of the similar restrictions that are in place or that are being implemented elsewhere are focused on the characteristics of the finished product. Evaluating finished products relative to their hazardous substance content is challenging, but competent test methods can be performed for a thorough evaluation. There are even greater challenges to be faced in designing and producing those products with alternatives to, or reduced quantities of, such substances. To be successful process management must occur from concept through product realization. After the fact, product focus can be very costly.

Current state-of-the-art production processes of most electronic and electrical products, and their components and packaging, involve inclusion of hazardous substances. Some of these are essential to the content of the product, some for the methods by which it’s made. Some can be created as a result of the production process.

More production processes are now being critically examined and evaluated for their use and production of hazardous substances currently specified for special restriction. This is not a trivial task. It requires a significant scientific evaluation. The task grows more daunting as more substances are added to those subject to restriction. Many, if not most, companies often lack the experience and expertise required for such a complex task.

The technical requirements
Testing for RoHS requirements and WEEE directives compliance has shown the need for special and specific expertise for each of the substances identified for restriction. For example, specific characteristics of lead are substantially different from mercury, as are those of cadmium or hexavalent chromium, etc. The scientific challenge of understanding how each is introduced, affected by, and results from production processes can be great.

Implications for registration to QC 080000
While certification bodies in charge of assessing compliance with QC 080000 must review defined processes and adherence to them—as they do in ISO standards assessments—they must also focus on the technical elements of a process for a truly credible certification. Activities included in the processes must be shown to manage the trail of use, inclusion and disposal of subject substances, and ensure review and analysis of designs, design plans and hazardous substance reduction strategies.

The company that takes a proactive approach to managing their processes can study the QC 080000 IECQ HSPM requirements and, where applicable, build the needed activities into their processes. The blueprint for hazardous substance process management is provided. HSPM capability and hazardous substance restriction compliance can be built into the processes.

A new era
The way the electronics and electrical industries plan and track the use of hazardous and regulated substances has entered a very demanding epoch in which additional scientific intelligence must be utilized. Governmental trade restrictions around the globe create new accountabilities for potentially harmful substances and change many paradigms of product design and production.

Global standards or specifications addressing hazardous substances, such as QC 080000 IECQ HSPM, will necessarily raise the bar for compliance certification beyond historical norms. The level of scientific scrutiny and and necessary understanding has been raised. It began with the new accountabilities imposed with the issuance of the RoHS directive and will only become stronger as we continue to learn more about the consequences of our actions and, driven by our instinct for survival, hold ourselves to even more inclusive standards.