I remember reading about the proposed ban on lead in solder a few years ago.
I can't help wondering what real effect the ban is supposed to have. 90% of equipment is imported from the far east these days. Is there going to be a ban on the importation of equipment using lead-based solder too?
Is the relatively small amount of regular 60/40 solder used here going to make that much difference?
As for use of solder for equipment repairs, the effect would surely be tiny. Even if manufacturers switched to lead-free solder, I can't see that the tiny amount used in maintenance and repair work is going to be a problem.
Is anywhere going to have an exemption to allow leaded solder to be sold in small quantities after the deadline? (Like we had for leaded gasoline in the U.K.)
Either way, I guess it will come as no surprise that I'm planning on laying in big stocks of regular 60/40 solder.
[This message has been edited by pauluk (edited 08-25-2005).]