Halogens are a common group of elements, including chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc. In the electronics industry, halogen compounds are widely used in products such as circuit boards, wires and cables. However, the use of halogen compounds also brings environmental and health issues. In order to protect the rights and interests of consumers, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has formulated the halogen detection standard IEC61249-2-21 to regulate the use of halogen compounds in electronic products.

International Electrotechnical Commission IEC61249-2-21:2003

The bromine content in printed circuit board (PCB) substrate shall not exceed 900ppm, chlorine content shall not exceed 900ppm, and total halogen (bromine+chlorine) content shall not exceed 1500ppm.


International Association of Electronic Industry Connectivity IPC-4101B

In June 2006, IPC-4101B was revised to specify a halogen-free specification with the same specification limits as IEC61249-2-21:2003.

JEOL Circuit Industry Association JPCA-ES-01-1999

Halogen detection standards

In November 2007, IPC proposed the draft IPC/JEDECJ-STD-709 standard, which had the same requirements for halogens as IEC61249-2-21:2003, but covered a wide range of products, including but not limited to the following categories:

Resins in various plastic components (substrates, molds, fluxes, bottom fillers, etc.);

Printed circuit boards and printed circuit board components;

Welding flux residue;

Resin in cables, connectors, sockets, and external wiring;

Resin in mechanical plastics (masks, fans, etc.).

Including fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), iodine (I), astatine (At), abbreviated as halogen. As astatine is a Radioactive element, halogen is often referred to as fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. Halogens are widely used in flame retardants, refrigerants, solvents, organic chemical raw materials, pesticides and insecticides, bleaches, wool degreasing, etc.


Application and Hazards of Halogens

Halogen compounds are widely used in various plastic additives, with the most common application as flame retardants. Flame retardants are a type of additive that can prevent the ignition of flammable materials or suppress flame propagation. However, the use of halogenated flame retardants also has disadvantages: once a fire occurs, the incomplete combustion of halogenated flame retardants will produce a large amount of carcinogens; Moreover, materials that use halogenated flame retardants produce a large amount of smoke and toxic corrosive gases during combustion, which hinders firefighting and personnel evacuation, and corrodes instruments and equipment.