New Kitemark scheme launched for printed circuit board materials

Citation

(1999), "New Kitemark scheme launched for printed circuit board materials", Circuit World, Vol. 25 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/cw.1999.21725aab.017

New Kitemark scheme launched for printed circuit board materials

New Kitemark scheme launched for printed circuit board materials

Keywords British Standards, Printed circuit boards

The British Standards Institution has extended its certification services to the electronics industry by launching a new Kitemark scheme for the qualification of printed circuit board materials which comply with the American standard, IPC-4011. The BSI Kitemark is one of the most widely-accepted product marks that testifies to quality and safety.

IPC is the Institute for the Interconnection and Packaging of Electronic Components which publishes a number of de facto world standards for the electronics supply industry. IPC-4101 replaces a military specification, MIL-S-13949, which was withdrawn in September 1998. The "MIL Spec" has long been a "must have" approval for suppliers of PCB materials and will be particularly missed by printed board fabricators.

The new Kitemark scheme offers continuity of certification for these materials which form the foundation of all electronic products. While considered less sophisticated than the microprocessor, the PCB is expected to perform to the same high standards. The quality of the base material is, therefore, critical to the electronics industry.

The Kitemark scheme partially mimics the "MIL Spec" in order to ease the transition. Compliance with IPC-4101 can be demonstrated via independent testing or by the supplier's own approved laboratory. The specification also allows statistical process control data to be used in lieu of product testing.