Peruse the conference program of any electronics assembly trade show, and you'll find one subject dominates all others: lead-free solder. And for good reason.
By July 1, 2006, lead must be eliminated from many electronic devices produced in or imported to the European Union. Circuit boards used in automotive, aerospace, military and high-reliability telecommunications equipment are exempt from the rule, but all other products must be lead-free. In addition, most of Japan's major electronics manufacturers, including Hitachi, Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba, have already voluntarily eliminated lead from many of their products.