A number of German companies together with a Fraunhofer institute (FHG) have developed a printed circuit board (PCB) using only bio-degradable components. Components were soldered to the board using RoHS-conformant solder. A major ingredient of the board material is the lignin-based resin. In plants lignin together with cellulose forms the woody cell walls of plants.
In a 'Green Book' the European Union in 1997 has laid down the strategy for more environmentally oriented processes. They called it 'Integrated Product Policy' (IPP). Part of this general policy is the 'Energy using Products' (EuP) Directive. The goal of this Directive is simply to reduce energy consumption in producing and using electrical/electronic products. The Directive 2005/32/EC was passed on July 5, 2005 with the goal to implement it by August 11, 2005 in all countries of the EU.
The EU is far behind Japan in planning and implementing this. Japanese companies have voluntarily started several years ago doing much more than is currently planned in the EU.
South Korea has proposed legislation under the title od 'The Act for Resource Recycling of Electrical/Electronic Products and Automobiles'. It is similar to the three European Directives RoHS, WEEE and ELV. It is planned to become effective on July 1, 2007.
