Test & Measurement
Agilent Acts to Develop RoHS Compliant Products
Agilent Technologies says that the majority of its electronic test and measurement products are now designed for compliance with the European Union’s restrictions on the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. The European RoHS directive bans the sale of equipment containing more than the agreed level of lead, mercury, cadmium and other substances.
The Agilent used the RoHS compliance effort as a catalyst for overall sustainability and reliability improvements throughout the design, supply-chain and manufacturing process.
“We are committed to sustainability in our products and the processes used to create them,” said Eric Taylor, vice president of Customer Experience & Quality in Agilent’s Electronic Measurements Group. “We wanted to not only meet RoHS requirements but to meet them ahead of schedule. Incorporating breakthrough technologies such as lead-free design, we were driven to succeed because the safety of our customers and minimizing our ecological footprint are high priorities.”
Agilent recently replaced its standard one-year warranty with the introduction of a standard three-year warranty on most of its electronic test products to underscore its commitment to environmental and product sustainability and its dedication to reducing toxic waste. It has now taken its commitment a step further by offering to take back any product when it is no longer needed, to ensure that it is properly recycled.
In the process of eliminating harmful and resource-depleting chemicals and materials, Agilent invested heavily in research for alternative materials and methods to be used in its products.