Compliance reporting practices for PFAS in electronics

Abstract

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a man-made group of chemicals used in consumer, commercial and industrial products. PFAS has unique properties including resistance to heat, water and oil. Decomposition of PFAS substances in nature is exceptionally slow and because of that these substances are persistent in the environment and bioaccumulate in the human bodies, animals and other environmental compartments. PFAS exposure poses significant environmental and health risks to humans and wildlife. As a result, strict regulations have been introduced globally to restrict PFAS use. Moreover, according to the existing and emerging PFAS reporting rules, manufacturers need to report information about the PFAS use in their sold products. These regulations help regulatory bodies better understand and manage the risks associated with PFAS.

The aim of this thesis is to develop compliance reporting practices for PFAS in the electronics manufacturing industry. The thesis addresses the identification of key data attributes for PFAS reporting, proposing their integration into the company’s existing Product Data Management (PDM) or product Lifecycle management (PLM) systems and develops a model for PFAS data handling and collection processes, that can be applicable for any electronics manufacturer. A literature review was conducted to map the PFAS reporting requirements applicable to electronics industry in the European Union and North America. In addition, an empirical study with semi- structured interviews were conducted within an automation product manufacturing company to understand the existing tools, systems and reporting practices for PFAS in the electronics manufacturing sector. Based on these findings, a set of key PFAS data attributes was developed and validated through a practical analysis of a selected sample component.

The results highlighted that significant potential for improvement in current PFAS reporting practices. By implementing data attributes in PDM systems and following effective PFAS data collection strategies, organizations can achieve more efficient and effective PFAS reporting to authorities. The validation of the sample component demonstrated how PFAS-related information could be systematically collected, verified, and integrated into the PDM system to improve traceability and support compliance reporting. The study also emphasized the need for close collaboration with suppliers to obtain full material disclosures to determine the material composition of components. Additionally, the study highlighted the critical role of third-party compliance service providers for PFAS data collection by reducing administrative burdens, verifying data quality and offering access to component databases that would be difficult for electronics manufacturers to maintain in-house.

By implementing the proposed data attributes into PDM/PLM systems, enhancing supplier collaboration and utilizing third-party service providers support for PFAS data collection, electronics manufacturers can achieve more reliable and efficient PFAS compliance.