DIN EN 62321-3-1:2014-10

The International Standard series IEC 62321 provides test methods that will allow the electrotechnical industry to determine the levels of certain substances of concern in electrical products on a consistent global basis. This Part 3-1 describes the screening analysis of the five substances lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), total chromium (Cr) and total bromine (Br) in uniform materials found in electrotechnical products, using the analytical technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry. This analysis is applicable to polymers, metals and ceramic materials. The test method can be applied to raw materials, individual materials taken from products and "homogenized" mixtures of more than one material. Screening of a sample is performed using any type of XRF spectrometer, provided it has the performance characteristics specified in this test method. Under normal conditions XRF spectrometry provides information on the total amount of each element in the test sample; it does not identify compounds, however and does also not provide knowledge on the valency (valence state) of the elements. Therefore, particular attention is necessary during screening analysis of chromium and bromine, since the result only reflect the total chromium and bromine. The presence of Cr(IV) or brominated flame retardants PBB or PBDE shall be proven by a verification test method. The responsible committee is DKE/K 191 "Umweltschutz und Nachhaltigkeit bei Produkten in der Elektrotechnik, Elektronik, Informationstechnik" ("Environmental protection and sustainability for products in electrotechnics, electronics, information technology") of the DKE (German Commission for Electrical, Electronic and Information Technologies) at DIN and VDE.