> I kind of think that if it's a trade barrier they want, it would be easier > to just erect one. I might buy your argument IF they had a monetary goal to > get folks outside the EU to 'purchase exemptions'(i.e. defacto tax)... thus > creating some income for them... but all I see is they are increasing their > own manufacturing costs... thereby loosing their competitive edge on the > rest of the world market who incidentally can make their products more > reliable and less costly with tin/lead solders.
In order for the WTO to not strike it down as a trade barrier, it has to appear to have some redeeming value. Which it does (environmentalism). So, they couldn't just erect a blatant trade barrier, they have to sneak one in under the guise of some other motive. And it will only last for a while, until US firms adapt to lead-free. But they did it first, so they have a time advantage. It also has a lot do to with perception, as do many purchasing decisions: Buyer: Are your firms products lead-free? Vendor: We have a lead-free development program in place. Buyer: But what are you shipping now? Lead-free or no? Vendor: Ummm...no. Buyer: Never mind...<click> > It's probably important to tie this conversation to PROTEL in some way... > I will add the fact the Protel Software is environmentally safe and contains > no lead or lead byproducts in their software, safe for ages 12 and older. > (some assembly required) The only thing enviro-safe are the actual digital bits (1's and 0's). By that I mean their existence as a concept only - any physical or electrical instantiation of the bits has bad enviro-aspects (usage of material or usage of energy). Plastic shrink wrap packaging - not biodegradable. Box not printed in soy-based inks, but in toxic petrochemical-based inks. I think some CD's contain cyanide-based reflective inks. ;-) Best regards, Ivan Baggett Bagotronix Inc. website: www.bagotronix.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Brooks,Bill" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "'Protel EDA Discussion List'" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2004 3:30 PM Subject: RE: [Retrieved]Re: [PEDA] Lead free re design > Hey Ivan.. :) > > I see your point. > > I kind of think that if it's a trade barrier they want, it would be easier > to just erect one. I might buy your argument IF they had a monetary goal to > get folks outside the EU to 'purchase exemptions'(i.e. defacto tax)... thus > creating some income for them... but all I see is they are increasing their > own manufacturing costs... thereby loosing their competitive edge on the > rest of the world market who incidentally can make their products more > reliable and less costly with tin/lead solders. > > It's probably important to tie this conversation to PROTEL in some way... > I will add the fact the Protel Software is environmentally safe and contains > no lead or lead byproducts in their software, safe for ages 12 and older. > (some assembly required) > > :) > > > Bill Brooks - KG6VVP > PCB Design Engineer , C.I.D.+, C.I.I. > Tel: (760)597-1500 Ext 3772 Fax: (760)597-1510 > e-mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > http://www.dtwc.com > http://pcbwizards.com ____________________________________________________________ You are subscribed to the OT discussion forum To Post messages: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe and Other Options: http://techservinc.com/mailman/listinfo/ot_techservinc.com Browse or Search Old Archives (2001-2004): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Browse or Search Current Archives (2004-Current): http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
