Hazardous Substance Free Product Program, HSF Mark(TM) Will Provide Assurance to Consumers

MIDLAND, Texas, March 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Consumers have a new and easy way to identify hazardous-substance-free products by means of the HSF Mark. The HSF program allows consumers to recognize the HSF mark on products and search an online database for hazardous-substance-free products.

The HSF program, managed by the ECC Corporation (ECCC), works with public- and private-sector organizations to provide "green" choices to consumers by eliminating or reducing hazardous substances from products they use daily to a safe level as defined by the Restriction of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) international standard.

Information about the HSF program can be found at http://www.hsf.us. The HSF web site is an educational resource that will include a searchable database where consumers can search and find products and identify manufacturers holding IECQ HSPM certification authorizing use of the HSF Mark(TM).

"Participants in the HSF program manufacture, sell, and promote products authorized to be labeled with the hazardous-substance-free mark," Stanley H. Salot Jr., President of the ECC Corporation, said. The HSF Mark printed on the package provides the confidence that the product was manufactured under the control of a hazardous substance process management system that has been certified as being compliant with the IECQ QC 080000 HSPM specification, with a declaration by the manufacturer that the product is compliant with the requirements of RoHS (2002_95 EC), WEEE (2002-96 EC), or REACH (EC) No 1907/2006 directives, as applicable.

The HSF program depends on voluntary implementation by manufacturers and others in the supply chain of a hazardous substance process management (HSPM) system based on international requirements. Traditionally, manufacturers and retailers have relied on laboratory testing of the finished product to ensure product safety and the absence of hazardous substances. While testing can reveal problems, it cannot correct or prevent them. The goal of HSPM is to control the outcome of a process by controlling the entire design and manufacturing process.

The International Electrotechnical Commission Quality Assessment System (IECQ) (http://www.iecq.org) manages the HSPM certification program through its independent, 3rd party, accredited certification bodies. Based on the requirements of IECQ QC 080000, manufacturers throughout the supply chain undergo an initial registration assessment to achieve certification and annual surveillance to maintain their certification. A manufacturer needs to demonstrate full compliance in order to receive certification to use the HSF Mark(TM) on their qualified products.

"We know consumer purchasing decisions are influenced by concerns about product safety and the negative environmental impact of waste disposal practices," Salot said. "The independent oversight provided by the HSF program helps consumers make more educated purchasing decisions."

About ECCC

The ECC Corporation (ECCC) provides national and international, value-added, certified recognition for organizations involved with electronic components and related materials, products and processes through the International Electrotechnical Commission Quality Assessment System. The IECQ is the only comprehensive, worldwide certification program that assesses electronic components to quality requirements, operating since 1982. For more information visit http://www.eccb.org.

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SOURCE ECC Corporation