Navigating Global Standards: A Guide to Certifications for Thermal Interface Materials (UL 94, RoHS, REACH)
Selecting the perfect thermal material is only half the battle. Ensuring it meets the necessary safety, environmental, and regulatory standards for your target market is equally critical. Navigating this landscape of acronyms can be daunting.
Let’s demystify the key global certifications for Thermal Interface Materials (TIMs):
1. UL 94 Flammability Rating (Safety):
This standard assesses a material’s ability to resist ignition. For electronics, a V-0 rating is often required, meaning the material stops burning within 10 seconds after the flame is removed and does not drip flaming particles. This is a baseline safety requirement for many consumer and IT equipment applications.
2. RoHS Compliance (Environmental – EU):
The Restriction of Hazardous Substances directive limits the amount of specific heavy metals and brominated flame retardants. A RoHS compliant thermal pad is essential for selling electronic products in the European Union and many other regions that have adopted similar rules.
3. REACH SVHC Compliance (Environmental – EU):
While RoHS restricts specific substances, REACH requires disclosure and potentially authorization for Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC). It’s crucial to ensure your TIM supplier provides a declaration confirming the material does not contain SVHCs above the threshold, ensuring your supply chain compliance.
Why This Matters for You:
Using a non-compliant material can lead to costly product recalls, legal penalties, and brand damage. Proactively specifying certified materials streamlines your own product’s certification process (like CE or FCC marks).
We understand that your compliance is our responsibility. Our SP180 Phase Change Pad is designed to meet these global market requirements, coming standard with UL 94 V-0 certification, RoHS, and REACH compliance documentation, providing you with one less hurdle on the path to a successful product launch.
